Atlanta Radio Club
Skywarn Information Page

• Skywarn Nets
• Operating Procedures
• Reporting Tips
• Skywarn Certifications
• Links

Skywarn Nets

Skywarn Nets are used to get current weather information and damage information to the National Weather Service. On the Atlanta Radio Club Repeaters, we are linked in to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.

When the ARC Repeaters (primarily 146.820(-) on the Bank of America Tower) are linked in to the Skywarn Net, the courtesy tone changes from the normal beep to a different tone, described as "a raindrop falling in to a bucket." During this time, the repeaters are linked in to many other repeaters in the area, so avoid routine traffic. The repeaters should only be used for emergency or Skywarn communications.

As in most emergency communications situations, it's important to listen. If you do have something to report, make a clear, concise report. There may well be other people with traffic for the Skywarn net, so avoid tying it up uneccessarily. As always, emergency traffic takes priority over weather reporting, so the net will standby for any reports of injuries, medical attention needed, etc.

What to report:

• Hail
• Flooding
• High Winds (Causing Damage or exceeding 60 MPH)
• Funnel Clouds/Tornadoes
• Power Outages
• Fallen Limbs/Storm Damage
• Injuries/Casualties

The information reported to the National Weather Service is important for them to produce accurate warnings about severe weather. Make your reports as accurate as possible. Terms like "Heavy Rain" or "Large Hail" are too vague to be of much use to the National Weather Service. Try to use terms such as "dime-sized hail", "funnel cloud sited", or "2 inches of rain". This gives them far more accurate information for predicting the weather.

• Use coins to compare your hail size. A severe thunderstorm begins at penny size. Once hail becomes larger than coins, compare it to balls such as golf balls, tennis balls, softballs, etc.
• Any storm related damage should be reported. While it is best to have the report close to the event so we can use the information to assist us with issuing warning, the damage report is also important for publishing storm data and research purposes. Therefore, we want this information regardless of how old it might be.
• Report whenever flooding is observed. For example, you see a stream out of its banks or flowing across roads, bridges or property. Do not go near this water and do not try to cross it!
• Be as specific with your location as possible. If you are mobile, try to give your location using cross-streets and which direction you are facing. If you are stationary, give an address and the direction of the weather.

It is not necessary to have a Skywarn Certification in order to report information to a Skywarn net. However, the certification classes teach you about various weather situations. This allows you to provide more accurate information to the Skywarn net. The Atlanta Radio Club occasionally hosts a Skywarn Training Class at our monthly meeting. Contact one of the club officers to inquire about this. Some counties may require their ARES members to gain a Skywarn Certification.

• Information for Severe Weather Spotters from the NWS (PDF format)
• National Skywarn Website
• Georgia ARES/Skywarn Information Page