The SKYWARN Program   Click to fill out a Storm Report

Who Are SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotters? SKYWARN spotters in North Dakota consist of emergency response officials, amateur radio operators and trained residents. This is a volunteer public service. Each year spotters donate their time and resources to assist the NWS in fulfilling its mission to protect lives and property. National Weather Service Skywarn National Page   NWS Bismarck Skywarn Training Schedule

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Reference material for knowledge and safety

Spotter Booklet

Spotter Reference Guide 1

Spotter Reference Guide 2

Hail Size Chart

FEMA - Building A Safe Room 

Scijinks - it's all about weather for kids of all ages

Jetstream - an online school for weather 

 Amateur Radio Networks

• APRS Info

Amateur Radio SKYWARN Frequencies (in West and Central North Dakota)

• Beach - 146.730 MHz
• Bismarck - 146.850 MHz or 146.940 MHz
• Bowman - 145.310 MHz
• Carrington - 146.670 MHz
• Dickinson - 146.820 MHz 
• Hannover - 145.430 MHz
• Jamestown - 147.180 MHz
• Killdeer - 146.640 MHz
• Minot - 146.970 MHz or 147.270 MHz
• New Salem - 146.520 MHz
• Stanley - 146.790 MHz
• Williston - 147.210 MHz

Most of these sites can be linked together and in times of severe weather allows amateur radio operators at the NWS to communicate with those directly affected by the storm. The callsign for the NWS in Bismarck is W0BIS. Amateur radio operators are a vital part of the NWS severe weather warning program.

Amateur Radio Links

• Packet Radio Info
• FCC Amateur Radio Page

More Information on SKYWARN Training

Emergency response officials, amateur radio operators and the general public are all encouraged to attend. The 90 minute training occurs each spring in many of the counties in North Dakota. It is free of charge and is sponsored by your local County or Tribal Emergency Manager. Requests for training should be made through them.

SKYWARN severe weather spotter training seminars consist of a discussion of storm hazards (flash floods, lightning, tornadoes, hail and high wind) and advice on how to be safe from severe weather. Our goal is to make you more Weather-Ready!

The NWS issues severe weather warnings when there is a threat to life or property. When a warning is issued for your location you are in danger and need to seek shelter.

For information on SKYWARN sessions contact your local Emergency Manager or email john.paul.martin@noaa.gov at NWS Bismarck.