SkyWarn Recognition Day

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – December 7th is a special day in the weather world, especially for those enthusiasts that like to observe it.

This is the 25th Year of SkyWarn Recognition Day. What’s that you ask.. well… It’s a day to celebrate the contributions to public safety made by Skywarn Spotters. These people volunteer their time to report back important information during threatening severe weather events.

You may have not guessed this, but it’s mainly amateur radio operators exchanging QSO information with as many National Weather Service stations as possible over meter bands. 

These amateur radio operators work around the clock to submit information about tornados, storms, or strong winds. Because those severe weather conditions could cause significant damage to people’s lives and properties in the storm’s path. 

For instance, if there is a high risk day of severe weather, these skywarn spotters will be activated by the NWS. 

The volunteers come from all walks of life and backgrounds. They use their radio, usually either installed at home or for on the move in their car. When they hit bad weather, they simply get on the waves, say a call sign, signal report and a one or two word description of the weather occurring where they are located. For example, “tornado on ground”. Or it could simply be, “snow squall.” Visibility less than ¼ of a mile.

Every year, about 290,000 report on any weather irregularities. And these reports have worked to lessen the overall damage, allowing people and organizations to save money.

It’s simply the ground truth. And these people are specially trained by the National Weather Service to accurately report and relay this imperative information. A prior warning by a SKYWARN volunteer helps lessen casualties.

If you’ve ever been around a tornado touchdown, you’ve heard the Meteorologist on TV say that the tornado warning has been confirmed by a trained storm spotter. That’s usually who this is. After completing classes and becoming certified. They also usually lead and teach the public classes that we all can take to become a storm spotter. Where there is no equipment needed.

So yes, even you can do this and help out with accurate reports. This can range from severe weather to simply recording daily precipitation at your house. There’s plenty of ways weather enthusiasts can be a part of the bigger picture and help save lives with valuable information.

So today, all spotters and amateur radio operators around the nation are checking in online to be recognized. You can head to weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition to see how many are currently on.