[FARC] [Fwd: NWS Sterling Reporter - Skywarn]

[Bob Moroney]

Here's the latest from the NWS Skywarn folks. 

With the spate of nasty storms we've had come through our area in the 
last few weeks, this information is more than relevant to all of us, 
whether we're Skywarn-trained or not.  

Note that while Skywarn training is extremely helpful in providing 
meaningful, unambiguous severe weather reports to the NWS, it is not 
strictly required.  Timely and concise reporting is much more important 
in predicting and tracking storms that develop and move quickly.  You 
can see from the list below what kinds of information is needed.

They don't mention it in this email, but in our general area, the 
Skywarn net is activated on the Bluemont (VA) repeater when severe 
weather threatens, 147.300 MHz, standard offset, no PL.  When Skywarn is 
activated, the "courtesy beep" following each transmission will change 
to "WX" in Morse code. 

(I've heard of a plan to establish a sub-net for the Monocacy Valley on 
147.060, but in Frederick, but I don't know where that stands at this time.)

73, Bob K9CMR

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	NWS Sterling Reporter - Skywarn
Date: 	Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:27:22 +0000
From: 	Sarah Rogowski <Sarah.Rogowski at noaa.gov>
To: 	undisclosed-recipients: ;



Hello Skywarn Spotters,

I would like to pass along that the Spring 2008 edition of the Sterling 
Reporter (newsletter of NOAA's Baltimore/Washington National Weather 
Service Weather Forecast Office) is available on our website at: 
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/lwx/reporter/spring_2008.pdf

Thanks to all Spotters for your reports. Please remember to provide 
storm reports as soon as possible. These reports are extremely valuable 
in the warning decision making process as well as for our verification 
effort. The ideal way to report hazardous weather is through Phone or 
Amateur Radio. There are several ways to report.

   1. *Telephone:* 703-260-0107 or 800-253-7091
   2. *Radio Call Sign:* WX4LWX
   3. *Email:* LWX-Report at noaa.gov <mailto:LWX-Report at noaa.gov>

*Please call or use Amateur Radio to report time-sensitive information 
such as tornadoes, hail, wind damage, flooding, ice accumulation, etc.

*What to report:*

    * *Time* (start and end)
    * *Location* (State, County, City/distance and direction from city)
    * *Tornado* (circulation on the ground)
    * *Funnel* (not on the ground)
    * *Storm Rotation/Wall Cloud*
    * *Hail*: size compared to a coin /(please not marble)/ and depth on
      ground
    * *Heavy Rain*: measured 1 inch or more (duration)
    * *Flooding*: water out of banks or covering roadways
    * *Wind*: 50 MPH or greater (measured or estimated)
    * *Damage*: generally downed trees and/or power lines
    * *Snow Accumulation*: every 2 inches, storm total

Also, please contact Nikole Listemaa, Skywarn Program Leader, 
(Nikole.Winstead.Listemaa at noaa.gov) with any changes to your contact 
information.

Thank You,

Sarah Allen Rogowski, Editor
NWS Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office