SKYWARN — Ham Radio Severe Weather Spotting
SKYWARN is a National Weather Service programme that trains volunteer weather spotters — many of them licensed amateur radio operators — to observe and report severe weather directly to their local NWS forecast office. Ham radio provides the communications backbone for SKYWARN operations, allowing spotters in the field to relay real-time ground truth that radar alone cannot provide. When a tornado is on the ground or a severe thunderstorm is producing large hail, a trained SKYWARN spotter with a radio is one of the most valuable assets the NWS has.
The NWS–ham radio partnership
Each NWS forecast office maintains relationships with local amateur radio clubs and ARES groups that coordinate SKYWARN operations in their county warning area. When severe weather threatens, the NWS activates a SKYWARN net on a designated local repeater. Trained spotters deploy to safe locations with good visibility and report observations to net control, who passes reports to the NWS forecast office. These ground-truth observations help meteorologists validate radar returns, issue more accurate warnings, and make tornado warning decisions with greater confidence.
What spotters report
SKYWARN spotter reports cover specific meteorological phenomena — not general weather observations. Trained spotters report hail size (using common size references — pea, marble, golf ball, baseball), wind speed and damage indicators, tornadoes or funnel clouds with location and direction of movement, wall clouds and other rotation signatures, flash flooding, and precipitation amounts. The NWS wants objective observations with specific locations, not interpretations or speculation.
Attend SKYWARN spotter training
The NWS offers free SKYWARN training in person and online. Find your local NWS forecast office at weather.gov and look for the SKYWARN or spotter training link. In-person classes run 2–3 hours and cover severe weather recognition, safe spotting techniques, and how to make and relay a report. Online training is available through MetEd at meted.ucar.edu.
Get your spotter ID number
After completing training, the NWS assigns you a spotter ID for your county warning area. This number identifies your reports in the NWS system. Keep it handy when checking into SKYWARN nets — net control will log it with your reports.
Find your local SKYWARN net frequency
Contact your local ARES group or amateur radio club to find the designated SKYWARN net frequency for your area. Programme this frequency into your radio and monitor it during severe weather season. Many areas also have a backup frequency or simplex fallback if the repeater fails.
Deploy safely during activations
When a SKYWARN net activates, check in with net control, give your location, and follow instructions. Position yourself in a safe location with good visibility — ideally to the southeast or south of the storm. Stay in your vehicle during hail or high winds. Never position yourself in the path of a tornado.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Dual-band VHF/UHF radio | Minimum 5W HT; 25–50W mobile preferred for reliable repeater access in severe weather |
| Hail measurement cards | Printed size reference cards — free from many NWS offices |
| Spotter ID card | Keep in vehicle with net frequencies and reporting guidelines |
| Weather-resistant notebook | Log observations with time and location before reporting |
| Charged phone with radar app | Situational awareness tool — do not rely on cell phone for reporting |
| Spare battery or car charger | Activations can run several hours |
Do I need a ham licence to be a SKYWARN spotter?
No — SKYWARN training is open to anyone. However, ham operators who are trained SKYWARN spotters can communicate directly on the SKYWARN net, providing faster and more reliable reports than a civilian spotter using a cell phone. Many NWS offices specifically recruit ham operators for SKYWARN.
How close should I get to a severe thunderstorm?
SKYWARN training emphasises staying in safe positions — never in the path of a storm or tornado. Position yourself to the southeast or south with good visibility. Do not chase tornadoes. The NWS wants your report, not your heroism.
What is the highest-priority SKYWARN report?
Confirmed tornadoes or funnel clouds on the ground, with location and direction of travel, are the top priority. Large hail (golf ball size or larger), significant wind damage, and flash flooding are also high-priority. Always state your location first so the NWS can correlate your observation with their radar.
Can I report without being on the net?
Yes — the NWS accepts reports online through the mPING app and at spotter.weather.gov. However, radio reports to the SKYWARN net are typically faster and more actionable during a rapidly evolving event, especially when cell networks are congested or unavailable.