A conversation started on the BVARC reflector about the lack of radio communications during the past few heavy rainfalls and wind storms.
Several operators wanted to relay reports from their areas last week but could not raise anyone on the air at Transtar or NWS.

I reached out to the SkyWarn coordinator for Houston/Galveston with questions about repeaters, reporting, and training.

His reply is attached below. Basically he says:

they were on the air during last week's storm
They now use the south coast linked repeater system
training is available
we can always use the 800 phone number listed on their webpage.
They are willing to do a class tailored for amateur radio operators.

My thoughts:

PLEASE understand that SkyWarn is NOT storm chasing. A few comments I saw on the reflector indicated some people equate the two. SkyWarn is nothing more than reporting what you see where ever you are ... on the road, at home, at a ball game, in a shelter, etc.
The training tells you what the NWS wants you to report.
The training schedule shows multiple classes in March...none in the SW sector of "Greater Houston"
We can go online to take the classes on our own. We do not have to wait on them to give a class that is convenient to us.
The south coast repeaters web page does not load for me, but the second link works fine and lists several linked repeaters
That 800 phone number may not work during severe weather because the circuits are overloaded or the towers are down.
Make sure you can reach several of the repeaters listed in case the ones closest to you go down during a storm.
An on-line search revealed there is a SkyWarn net on Echolink that meets every month during the "off season" and weekly during hurricane season.
https://voipwx.net/welcome-to-the-voip-skywarn-hurricane-net-support-site/
I had training several years ago and should probably take a refresher. I will watch for ZOOM based (or similar) sessions.

Reach out to Dan Reilly if you want to request training for a club or something tailored to amateur radio. [email protected]

Ralph KE5HDF

From: Dan Reilly - NOAA Federal <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2024 7:20 AM
To: ralph phillips <[email protected]>
Cc: David Fanelli <[email protected]>; D. A. Fanelli <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: SkyWarn and Amateur Radio

We activated for this event, had a board operator (copied here). We do more Skywarn training than most offices.

https://www.weather.gov/hgx/skywarn_schedule

There have been some changes in the network past few years Saltgrass has faded away, South Coast Reflector I believe has taken its place, although the web site for that network seems to be down.

http://southcoastreflector.com/

https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/feature_search.php?system=South%20Coast%20Reflector%20System&state_id=%&type=systems#google_vignette

We'd be happy to do a ham-centric training next go around. But The 800 number remains a viable method of reporting as well.

Dan Reilly

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service Houston/Galveston

281-534-2157 ext. 223