Allen County SKYWARN
When severe weather threatens Allen County, the National Weather Service (NWS) in North Webster relies on a dedicated network of trained volunteer observers: SKYWARN spotters. Operating under the guidance of the NWS, these vigilant individuals provide real-time, ground-truth reports that are crucial for issuing timely and accurate warnings, ultimately safeguarding lives and property across our region and the 37 counties served by North Webster.
Your Role is Vital: As trained SKYWARN spotters, your observations are a critical link in the severe weather warning chain. By reporting specific, developing threats, you provide information that radar alone cannot always detect. Remember, precision and accuracy are paramount.
Essential Resources:
Operational Frequencies:
| Role | Frequency | Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Repeater | 146.88 MHz | -0.6 MHz |
| Secondary Repeater | 146.76 MHz | -0.6 MHz |
Allen County SKYWARN Information
Operations Manual: Familiarize yourself with our local protocols and reporting procedures.
When to Report:
As a trained SKYWARN spotter, the National Weather Service requires immediate reports of the following specific weather conditions:
- Tornadoes, Funnel Clouds, and Wall Clouds: Report immediately if you observe a rotating column of air extending towards or touching the ground (tornado), a rotating cone-shaped cloud extending from the base of a thunderstorm (funnel cloud), or a lowering, rotating cloud base (wall cloud). Rotation is the key indicator.
- Winds 50 Miles Per Hour (MPH) or Greater: Report sustained winds or strong gusts reaching or exceeding this threshold. Do not report lower wind speeds unless specifically requested by Net Control.
- Any Hail: Report all instances of hail, and be precise about the size using common references (e.g., pea-size, dime-size, nickel-size, quarter-size, golf ball-size, etc.).
- Flooding in Progress: Report situations involving the rapid pooling of water on roadways, significant water levels in normally dry areas, or water entering structures.
- Storm Damage: Report significant damage such as large trees or limbs down, structural damage to buildings, or downed power lines.
- Weather-Related Injury or Death: Report any information regarding injuries or fatalities directly caused by the weather.
Providing Accurate Reports
- Be Precise with Location: Give your location as accurately as possible using clear references such as nearby towns, major roads, and specific addresses if known.
- Stick to the Criteria: Unless specifically instructed by Net Control, please refrain from reporting conditions outside of the listed criteria.
- Listen After Reporting: Remain on the frequency for a few minutes after your report in case the radar operator or Net Control requires additional information.
When in Doubt, Report It Out:
If you observe a weather condition that you believe may be significant but are unsure if it meets the reporting criteria, report it anyway. Clearly state your observation, your uncertainty, and the reason for your hesitation (e.g., “Possible funnel cloud, not sure due to heavy rain,” or “Strong rotation observed, but distant and obscured by trees”). Your report can prompt further investigation and may be corroborated by other spotters or radar data. It is better to report a possible threat than to remain silent.
Avoid General Observations:
To ensure efficient and focused reporting, please refrain from vague descriptions such as “it’s raining very hard” or “it’s getting very windy over here.” Focus on the specific, critical weather elements outlined above.
By adhering to these guidelines, Allen County SKYWARN spotters provide invaluable real-time intelligence to the National Weather Service, playing a vital role in protecting our community from the dangers of severe weather.”