You may recall my last note or post was based on things I learned at Plano’s Ham-Com in June. I want to go back and review some information I found in a recent ARRL newsletter regarding SKYWARN and self-activation. Recall that our Section leadership asked us not to self-activate and I discussed why in my last note. Well, in late July up in New England there were tornadoes. I suspect that’s not a common occurrence in Massachusetts, and as I read the story the ARES group was noted as self-activating to follow the storm. Now this piqued my interest. Self-activation (a recent topic of our Section leadership) and Following the Storm. So, back to the Internet, my source and wellspring of all knowledge…

It appears all NWS offices and ARES teams are not the same, and in some areas (head nod up North) they don’t activate spotters and keep them apprised of developing situations as they do down here (kudos to the FTW NWS team). I dug around and read a few SOPs for ARES up yonder, and in some cases they have ARES folks watch the WX and decide if they need to activate. We would wear our volunteers out in the spring and summer if we activated at each issuance of a watch. We also are blessed with a cooperative NWS which has tools to issue information to our NC staff, the very same data that goes to the Emergency Management community. Everyone is on the same page, and that is important! It’s a cooperative effort, and we have a good idea of what each other is doing.

Now just so you know, we also have our NC team scheduled to take turns “on duty.” The NC with the short straw that week is responsible to keep an eye out if a watch is issued and as a team we communicate about the goings on and what NWS is saying via forecast and outlook products they have online. Once things have moved along to the point the WX is beginning to show its ugly side in the neighborhood, you get a notice of Yellow or Orange. Occasionally we all get a Red Alert with no notice… it is Texas weather, you know. If any of the other NC staff is out of pocket, Grayson County is still covered by the on call NC.

Now as to the storm-following thing. When activated, our team of NC ops and Assistant NC ops do their best to watch the WX out the window, on the screen and from your reports to keep everyone safe as possible. You also play a role by attending the SKYWARN training every year to stay abreast of what those churning clouds and winds mean. Review your information, go online and look at SKYWARN training; there is a lot out there. Be careful to use NWS sources for this so you get the right stuff. We don’t want anyone in a tornado or a hail core, but we do want to try and get trained eyes in place to see what’s going on and report it to NWS so they can make the best decisions possible to protect our communities. Technology, radar and databases are great, but up here the bottom 6000 feet of a storm is not in their radar view for the most part, and a lot can happen there.

Thanks for all you do to help in this regard. You are part of a large team of volunteers and professionals who rely on you to be the front line when as ARRL says “all else fails.” Next time you hear one of our Ft. Worth NWS forecasts, WX Statements, Watches or Warnings, remember you are part of the team that makes that possible.

It is a pleasure to serve with you.

73
Rick
K5ECX