The NWS SKYWARN Program

SKYWARN is a service of NOAA NWS

For a storm, there is no substitute for the human eye on the ground. This simple, yet critical, fact has been the driving force behind the National Weather Service's (NWS) SKYWARN program for over half a century. A nationwide network of trained volunteer storm spotters, SKYWARN provides the NWS with "ground truth"—real-time, on-the-ground observations of severe weather that complement and confirm the data from advanced meteorological technology.

The program's roots trace back to the early 1970s, a time when meteorological technology was far less sophisticated. Without the advanced Doppler radar systems and satellite imagery we rely on today, forecasters often lacked a clear picture of a storm's behavior at the ground level. A radar might indicate a thunderstorm with the potential for severe weather, but it could not confirm the existence of hail, damaging winds, or a tornado on the ground. The need for a dedicated, trained corps of observers was paramount to the NWS's mission of protecting life and property.

This is where the critical partnership with Amateur Radio Operators, or "Hams," began. Amateur radio had long been a staple of emergency communications, and its volunteer operators possessed the unique ability to communicate when traditional systems failed.⁶ Their radio networks could be activated to form a "net" to collect and relay reports from a wide area, a vital capability during a weather emergency when phone lines could be overloaded or knocked out. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the NWS formalized this alliance with a Memorandum of Understanding, solidifying the role of Hams as a cornerstone of the SKYWARN program.

Today, SKYWARN has grown to include over 300,000 trained spotters. While the technology has evolved, with Doppler radar providing unprecedented detail on storm structure and rotation, the need for human observation remains. Radar can suggest a tornado is forming, but a trained spotter can provide immediate confirmation, allowing the NWS to issue a warning with greater confidence and specificity. Spotters also report other crucial information that radar cannot fully assess, such as the size of hail, the extent of wind damage, or the precise accumulation of rain or snow.

The training, which is free and open to the public, is conducted by NWS forecasters and covers everything from the basics of thunderstorm development to identifying specific cloud formations and reporting procedures. Participants learn to differentiate between a dangerous wall cloud and a harmless scud cloud, and to accurately estimate wind speed and hail size. The program is not about "storm chasing," a far more dangerous activity, but about "storm spotting"—observing from a safe distance and relaying critical data to the proper authorities.

The relationship between SKYWARN and amateur radio is as strong as ever. During a severe weather event, Hams often staff a radio station at the local NWS office, serving as the crucial link between forecasters and the spotters in the field. This collaboration ensures a continuous flow of information, even when other communication methods are compromised. It is a testament to the enduring power of volunteerism and the vital role of dedicated individuals in safeguarding their communities. The SKYWARN program, a blend of advanced technology and human observation, is a quiet yet indispensable force in the ongoing effort to save lives from the unpredictable fury of nature.