THE PURPOSE OF THE MARTIN COUNTY SKYWARN PROGRAM

The purpose of the Martin County SKYWARN Program is to educate the citizens of Martin County on all aspects of Weather Spotting. The first step in becoming a Weather Spotter is by taking a class offered on a regular basis from the National Weather Service. This class is on the "Basic Level", and introduces the student to weather terms and definitions, along with a slide show and movies provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) Instructor. The instructor shows pictures of different cloud formations and their potential for severe weather. The Instructor also goes over the criteria for SKYWARN activation. If this criteria is met and confirmed either by radar or a reliable source, a Watch or Warning will be issued for Martin County.

A "Watch" means conditions are favorable for severe weather development in the area, and a "Warning" means that severe weather is occurring somewhere in the county. When the NOAA Weather Radio activates, the NWS person making the announcement will state what the severe weather is, and where it has been reported. Also, we have benefit of the "COMM-ALERT" System in Martin County. This is activated by Supervisory personnel at our Emergency Operations Center, and placed over all of the cable television channels via telephone command.

SKYWARN falls under the command structure of The National Weather Service, and is an all volunteer Program. SKYWARN also works together with the Martin County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES/RACES) when a disaster emergency takes place. When severe weather is reported and confirmed, Spotters report conditions to the SKYWARN Coordinator, who in turn notifies the NWS in Melbourne, FL, and members of Martin County ARES/RACES , and other NWS and "media" services. Since some of our "Spotters" live in Palm Beach County, just south of the Martin County Line, the Coordinator refers their information to the NWS in Melbourne, FL., as well as the NWS in Miami, FL., since that area from the Martin County Line, southward, falls under the NWS Miami's Area of Resposibility.

During an actual weather emergency, Martin County SKYWARN has 67 members that are at "fixed" locations, either at work or at their homes. These members are not Amateur Radio Operators, for the most part, but telephone their reports to the county's SKYWARN Coordinator, who will then take appropriate action and notify the NWS with the reports. Again, these members are not Amateur Radio Operators, but they communicate by various means with the Coordinator.We also use Citizen Band Radios, GMRS, FRS, and other ways of communications. NOTE: Martin County SKYWARN Spotters should call the Coordinator via phone or Amateur Radio, instead of calling the NWS Direct, unless the threat of life and limb is at stake. This allows the Coordinator to gather information and make the call to the NWS via Radio or Phone. This eliminates the heavy phone load at the NWS during critical weather emergencies when the Forecasters are most needed at their positions.

The SKYWARN Coordinator of Martin County is a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, who can communicate direct to the NWS via radio, as most NWS Staff are licensed Amateurs. If conditions require, notification can be made via the telephone.

In Martin County, the criteria for activating the SKYWARN System is as follows:

1. Confirmed Funnel Clouds, Tornadoes, Water Spouts, Hail of any size, Winds of 55 mph or higher, Flooding, and any Damage from any of the above.

2. The decision to activate the Martin County System rests with the SKYWARN Coordinator, based on NWS reports and "Spotter" reports.

If a "Basic-Level Spotter" wishes, He/She can take the "Advanced Spotter Course" that is offered by the NWS to citizens who wish to learn information concerning the weather in greater detail. All of the 38 members of the Martin County SKYWARN Program are either "Basic" or "Advanced," certified by the NWS. Anyone can join if they live in Martin County, Florida. Every "Spotter" is equipped with a NOAA Weather Radio at their home or place of work, so they can instantly be notified of any changing weather conditions.

NEW: Now you can get the class information on-line, when you

connect to the "NWS Melbourne, FL" Home Page. They

offer training on-line, plus a test at the end for SKYWARN

certification. It is very informative. Look at the "Home Page"

and click on the SKYWARN Training Link.

Everyone should get Certified as a SKYWARN Spotter due to the fact it helps them get their "Family Plans" in order in case of a weather emergency, plus the course is fun to take. At the end of your class, the National Weather Service will issue you a Spotter Number to use when reporting severe weather to the SKYWARN Coordinator, or the National Weather Service. Please make sure you have a NOAA Weather Radio at home and at work. These radios will sound an "Alert" when the National Weather Service issues a "Watch" or "Warning", and can save you and your family from serious injury and give you time to get to a place that is safe from the weather hazard.

Return to Home Page

Page Updated: July 20, 2008