About SKYWARN^TM

• What is SKYWARN^TM?

  The SKYWARN^TM spotter program is a nationwide network of volunteers trained by the National Weather Service (NWS) to report significant weather. Anyone is welcome to participate.

• Why Have SKYWARN^TM?

  The NWS staff at the Wilmington Forecast Office in Ohio, are responsible for issuing warnings for the southwest 1/2 of Ohio, southeast and east central Indiana, and much of northern Kentucky. The NWS has wonderful observing systems, such as Radar, Satellite, and surface observing systems.  However, all of these systems have limitations.  SKYWARN^TM volunteers provide critical information that helps mitigate the limitations our observing systems.  The information observed and collected by SKYWARN^TM spotters help the NWS issue more timely watches and warnings which helps us fulfill our mission of  "protecting life and property".

• When will SKYWARN^TM Function?

  Information is relayed to the National Weather Service during tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, snow storms, flooding, and any other weather event that involves the use of volunteer storm spotters.

• Who will activate SKYWARN^TM?

  The Weather Office and/or emergency management authorities may activate the SKYWARN^TM Amateur Radio nets whenever there is a threat severe weather or the forecast office issues a severe thunderstorm watch, tornado watch, or flood watch. In this case, information will be relayed through our amateur radio repeater.  Non Amateur Radio SKYWARN^TM spotters should call severe weather reports in to our office whenever they are observed.

• Where will SKYWARN^TM observations be taken?

  SKYWARN^TM reports are relayed from wherever you are on the road, in your office, or at your home.  You don't have to travel to any particular location!  It is important, however, to not jeopardize your own safety while participating in SKYWARN^TM. 

• SKYWARN^TM and HAM radio operators?

HAM radio operators have a special place in the Wilmington SKYWARN^TM system. Our Wilmington weather office has HAM radio equipment on site. A SKYWARN^TM Net run by the volunteer amateur radio net control operators allow for reports from the field to be directly heard at the Weather Service.  You can learn more about our HAM radio network in our HAM section.  

• How do I join SKYWARN^TM?

You can learn more about how to become a trained SKYWARN^TM Spotter in our training section.