SKYWARN is a national network of volunteer severe weather spotters. The spotters are trained by local National Weather Service Forecast Offices on how to spot severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail and flooding. In some parts of the country, spotters also report snowfall and ice accumulation.

THE BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON FORECAST OFFICE SKYWARN PROGRAM
National Weather Service, Sterling VA  (LWX)

     The Baltimore-Washington Forecast Office has been recruiting and training spotters into its expanded network since 1990.  There are currently over 2000 active volunteers who cover 44 counties plus Baltimore City and the District of Columbia.  This network stretches west from the Chesapeake Bay across the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and south from the Mason-Dixon line through Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and Staunton in Virginia.

WHO ARE OUR SPOTTERS?

     SKYWARN volunteers are people who either have a strong interest in weather or are public service oriented such as amateur radio operators, REACT members, or emergency response personnel.  Spotters are all ages beginning as young as 14 and range well into retirement age.  Farmers, pilots, engineers, housewives, lawyers, television cameramen, teachers, students, firemen, and more.  SKYWARN volunteers are truly diverse but with a common interest in weather and a strong desire to help their community.

HOW DOES SKYWARN WORK?

     When hazardous weather occurs such as severe thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, snow and ice storms, SKYWARN volunteers report what is happening at their location.  They are asked to report whenever certain criteria are met such as when one inch of rain has fallen, four inches of snow is on the ground, a thunderstorm is producing hail, or trees have been blown down.  Reports arrive at the National Weather Service office via telephone, fax, internet, and the SKYWARN Amateur Radio Net.  The reports are combined with radar and satellite data to determine what the storms will do next.  Spotters provide the "ground-truth" to NWS forecasters.  Radar may show that heavy snow is falling, but it can not tell how much snow is on the ground or if rain is mixing with the snow. Spotters can, and do.  The reports are used by forecasters to send out public statements, watches, warnings and advisories, and short-term forecasts.  These products reach the public through the internet, NOAA Weather Radio, the media, and other commercial services.  Skywarn reports also go into Storm Data, which is an official publication that documents severe weather across the country. Storm Data can be used to create a severe weather climatology (or history) of a local county or city.

HOW DOES THE SKYWARN AMATEUR RADIO NET WORK?

        Approximately two-thirds of SKYWARN volunteers are licensed amateur radio operators.  Amateur radio plays a big role in the SKYWARN program.  During severe weather, amateur radio volunteers man a radio station at the Sterling VA National Weather Service office, call sign WX4LWX.  They talk to spotters in the particular area that a storm is hitting and request information needed by the forecasters such as hail size or rainfall accumulation.  Large storms such as hurricanes can knock out phone service.  Skywarn Amateur radio volunteers help when there are communications outages so that NWS can continue to receive weather reports and feed warnings and other critical information out to communities.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME A SKYWARN SPOTTER?

1. Be at least 14 years of age
2. Be able to observe the weather (though no instruments are required)
3. Have access to a telephone to call in reports, though reports are accepted through e-mail and the amateur radio network.

HOW DO I BECOME A SKYWARN VOLUNTEER SPOTTER?

     The way to get started is to take a SKYWARN "Basics 1" class.  This class is a 3-hour seminar that teaches you the basics of how SKYWARN operates, how to spot severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, what to report, how to report, and when to report it.  At the end of the class, you are given a special SKYWARN ID card with reporting instructions.  There is no cost for the class.  Classes are sometimes held at the Forecast Office in Sterling, Virginia near Dulles Airport.  The class includes a tour of our facility.  Most classes however are offered at "host locations" around the region.  Other "optional" classes are provided for our spotters to learn more about hurricanes, winter storms, radar, and floods.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A CLASS?

        Those interested are requested to pre-register for classes.  Classes are announced on the National Weather Service website here.  You can also call the NWS office at 703-260-0205 select option 5 to register for a class.