[CTSARA] All SKYWARN spotters

Fri Sep 5 12:22:22 EDT 2008

John could you add this information to our web site: Thanks Frank, KB1IFX 

To:                        All Connecticut SKYWARN Coordinators and 
Spotters

FROM:                  Steve Williams K!SJW CT ARES DEC SKYWARN

SUBJECT:             Connecticut SKYWARN Tropical Storm Hanna 
                             Thursday Morning Update

Good morning to all spotters and coordinators;

Listed below is the latest NHC Forecast Discussion on Hanna. I believe 
this provides better information and reasoning for the current forecast. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor NOAA Weather Radio 
broadcasts for your area for the issueance of watches, warniings, and 
advisories. Spotters should listen for the The Hazardous Weather 
Outlook (HWO) which is used by the local NWS offices to alert SKYWARN 
spotters regarding anticipated hazardous weather for the current day, 
the upcoming seven day time period, and requests for activation of 
SKYWARN. The HWO is routinely broadcast and updated over NOAA Weather 
Radio. The HWO for your 
county can also be viewed by clicking on the 
link below.

When severe weather watches or warnings are issued amateur radio 
operators are asked to monitor the VHF repeaters used for SKYWARN nets 
in your area and be prepared to check into a net when one is activated. 
For a list of the VHF repeater frequencies used by SKYWARN in 
Connecticut please go to the Connecticut SKYWARN Webpage link below. If 
a SKYWARN net is not operational in your county or you are not a 
licensed amateur radio operator please report your observations by way 
of the private 800 number issued during spotter training or by way of 
the Spotter Report Form located on the Internet Website for the NWS 
Forecast Office that covers your county.

SKYWARN spotters who wish to participate in the Hurricane Watch Net 
should review the information concerning this net that appears below. 
Spotters with Internet VOIP capability can also check into the 
VOIP Hurricane/SKYWARN Net listed below. For spotters unable to 
participate in the Hurricane Watch Net via ham radio you can email or 
fax a report to WX1NHC by going to their webpage listed below.

SKYWARN Nets and spotters should be prepared to share use of the 
local repeaters with ARES Nets if they become activated.

As a Hurricane or Tropical Storm approaches SKYWARN will be activated 
at the time that a Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, High Wind 

Warning, Flood or Flash Flood Warning,  Severe Thunder Storm or Tornado 
Watch is issued for your County. Spotters should remain activated until 
the threat of severe weather has ended for your county.

The 1st rule of SKYWARN Spotting and Emergency Communications is to 
protect yourself and ensure for your own safety. Then and only then 
make your report to NWS or SKYWARN Net Control. If you are unable to 
make a report during a severe storm please do so as soon as it is safe 
for you to make your report. Just remember to differentiate between the 
actual time that the storm damage you are reporting on occurred and the 
time of your report so that NWS lists the correct time in their records.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SKYWARN Reporting Criteria: Please call the National Weather Service or 
SKYWARN Net Control whenever you observe the following:

Highest Priority/Life Threatening Criteria.
Please report without delay to the National Weather Service ...

TORNADO or FUNNEL CLOUDS (Be very wary of look-a-likes watch for 
rotation)
WATERSPOUT
Other High Priority/Life Threatening Criteria.
Please report as soon as possible to the National Weather Service ...

Wall Clouds especially if they are rotating
Flooding of rivers or streams into homes or industries. Also report 
flooding which make roadways totally impassable.
Hail (Be specific with regard to size do not report marb
le size)
Winds 40 mph or greater specify with measured or estimated
Large brances down specify diameter of branch
Any thunderstorm winds which produce structural damage to houses, power 
lines or entire trees.
Rises of streams or rivers to bankfull conditions.
Any KNOWN storm surge inundations of coastal areas. Never go to the 
shore to investigate it yourself and EVACUATE immediately if told to do 
so by Emergency Management Personnel.
The highest wind gust during the tropical storm/hurricane.
The lowest barometric pressure and time it occurred during a tropical 
storm/hurricane.
Total event rainfall amount during a tropical storm/hurricane.
Known deaths or injuries due to lightning during a tropical 
storm/hurricane. Never report this over the Amateur Radio Frequencies. 
Call the Weather Service Office directly to report this information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hurricane Watch Net Standard Operating Procedures for stations 
reporting from the affected area.
Do not transmit on 14.325 unless asked to do so by the net control.
Any station located within 100 miles of the eye of the hurricane, or in 
a watch or warning area is encouraged to check in.  Within this group, 
those who are already experiencing 30 kts or greater of wind or a 
falling barometer should definitely respond when the net control asks, 
"Are there any stations in the affected area needing a fill or wish to 
check in?"
As the hurricane approache
s landfall, the net control will narrow 
requests to a specific area or ask only for stations experiencing 
certain conditions such as winds at 50 knots or greater.

Reporting stations are requested to report the following elements of 
their observed weather conditions:

Reporting Station:____________________

Geographic Location:__________________

Location (Latitude/Longitude):______Degrees North ______Degrees West

Time of Observation:_______ (UTC time, please)

Sustained Wind Speed:________ MPH or KPH (Over One Minute)

Gust Speed:_________ MPH or KPH

Wind Direction:_______Degrees

Barometric Pressure:___________ Inches or Millibars

Comments:____________
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Links to Various Hurricane/Tropical Storm Related Websites

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml
National Hurricane Center (NHC) Website
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center
http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/w4ehw/
The Hurricane Watch Net
http://www.hwn.org/
VIOP SKYWARN/Hurricane Net
http://www.voipwx.net/
Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Website
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Northeast River Forecast Center Website
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/nerfc/
Current Watches, Warnings, and Advisories for CT
http://www.weather.gov/alerts/ct.html
Reference Sheet For Warning Advisory Thresholds
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/warningcriteria.shtml
Current Northeast Sector Radar Loop
http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/northeast_loop.php
Current NWS Local Office For
ecast Discussions
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/aly/Discussion.htm
Current NWS Hazardous Weather Outlooks (HWO's)
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/threats.shtml
Connecticut SKYWARN Webpage
http://www.ctskywarn.com/

Respectfully Submitted

 Steve Williams K1SJW

Join The CTSARA Mailing List
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Stamford Amateur Radio Association

John Sabin Jr. WB1GRB
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John Sabini, WB1GRB: wb1grb at hotmail.com
SARA Web Address: http://www.ctsara.org/