[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] SKYWARN during COVID

[Don (KI4D)]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Christopher Strong - NOAA Federal <christopher..strong at noaa.gov <mailto:christopher.strong at noaa.gov> >
Date: Thu, Apr 2, 2020 at 11:49 AM
Subject: SKYWARN during COVID
To: Skywarn Yahoo Groups <wx4lwx at yahoogroups.com <mailto:wx4lwx at yahoogroups.com> >

 

Hello all,

 

I hope everyone is staying healthy during these trying times. 

 

While we are not currently expecting severe weather here anytime in the foreseeable future (the next several days), I did want to alert you to a change in our operations that affects SKYWARN operations (mainly for the desk operator).

 

During this COVID outbreak, as with many organizations, we are severely limiting anyone other than required staff to enter our office.  Therefore:

 

* For most instances when we get into a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Tornado Watch in the weeks ahead, we will activate SKYWARN in "report mode". This means the net will still be active, but desk operations will be run from the desk op's home (or base of operations). Severe weather reports that they gather will be relayed to NWS Baltimore/Washington by phone.

 

* For outbreaks that are expected to be exceptional, we still may call the desk op into our office, while practicing social distancing (as our forecasters on duty are doing now). But I think that would be a rarity.

 

I wish good health to you all. And as always, thank you for your support of us and your community's weather safety.

 

Chris Strong, WCM

NWS Baltimore/Washington