Extreme Fire Weather Concerns for the Western U.S.; Severe Weather and Flooding Threats for the Central U.S.

Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop across the Great Basin and Southwest today, and exceptionally dry and windy conditions will promote rapid wildfire spread through the weekend. Scattered severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible across parts of the Ozark Plateau into lower Ohio Valley and parts of the northern Rockies into adjacent Great Plains. Read More >

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Despite great advances in computer technology, sometimes nothing quite compares to a first-hand report. We know where its raining, and have Skywarn computer guidance on when or where it should flood, but we cannot tell if flooding has already starting. Likewise, we know if its windy, but cannot tell if the winds have toppled trees, caused power outages, or damaged structures. However, since we're tasked with protecting life and property, we need to know this type of information. Thus, we have a network of volunteers called SKYWARN® spotters. Class participants take a 3 hour long introductory course offered by us during which they are instructed on how to spot severe weather, and when to report appropriate items- typically thunderstorm damage during the spring and summer months and snowfall accumulations during the winter. If interested in more details on the SKYWARN® program, visit our SKYWARN® page by clicking here.

Obviously, all of our SKYWARN® observers are weather enthusiasts. A good percentage of them are also amateur radio operators. During large or major weather events, a ham radio operator comes to the office to work the console pictured above, which is located at the edge of the operations floor. Thus, we gain additional information on the weather's impact in real time, helping us make warning decisions.

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