[SMCARA] ~ SMD WX Stations Recognized

Thu, 09 May 2002 23:03:45 -0400

I am real proud to hear of this recognition of 3 of our local fellow hams.
I have used the data these 3 stations send out for my personal use via APRS and have always
been appreciative of the service they provide.
And now they are FAMOUS!     Congratulations Greg, Joe, JD.  Great job guys.  73, Jack
===========================================================================

From: Russ Chadwick
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 3:19 PM
Subject: APRSWXNET/CWOP news

This news item relating to APRSWXNET/CWOP observations taken during the
recent tornadic outbreak in Maryland, was put together by Dave Helms
(CW0351).

The APRSWXNET/Citizen Weather Observer Program (CWOP) is a group of
interested amateur radio operators and citizen observers, organized by FSL,
who contribute real-time weather data via packet radio and the internet for
use in NOAA activities.  This volunteer program had a recent notable
success.  On April 28, 2002, atmospheric conditions in close proximity to
the first documented "F5" tornado in the state of Maryland were measured and
observed by three members of the CWOP program.  Greg Jones (K3GJ) was up and
reporting prior to and during the tornado that struck La Plata, MD.  He was
able to record a 125-mph wind gust before he lost power.  Just upstream in
Potomac Heights, MD, another CWOP member, Joe Sartori (WB3IUT) was also
"live" during the event.  Joe received 3-inch hail but not the direct hit of
the winds.

Greg and Joe's stations are the only routinely reporting weather data
available in Charles County (the closest METAR station is 19 miles north at
Andrews AFB).  Their storm reports have been forwarded to the local NWS
Weather Forecast Office in Sterling, VA.  Further down stream in
Mechanicsville, Northern St Mary's County, MD, JD Delany (WX3SMD) was also
on-line and reporting prior to and during the event.  He observed an
estimated gust to 40 mph as the tornadic storm roared by to the north of his
location.  All three APRSWXNET/CWOP members provided valuable information
during this historic tornadic event and should be commended for their
efforts.

All of the contributed data is available to the general public over the
NOAA/FSL mesonet web page and the Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest
System (MADIS) at this URL, http://www-frd.fsl.noaa.gov/mesonet/

For more information, contact

Dave Helms, NWS, [email protected]
      or
Russ Chadwick, OAR, [email protected]
      or
Patty Miller, OAR, [email protected]