Skywarn Program

One of the most important assets to the NWS warning, forecast, and verification process is the SKYWARN^TM Spotter Network. NWS trained weather spotters provide real-time reports of tornadoes, hail, winds, flooding and hurricane damage. SKYWARN^TM spotters include Ham Radio operators, emergency responders and communication dispatchers, citizen groups and you! Please check the links below for upcoming SKYWARN spotter classes scheduled for your area. The classes are free, and all you need to do is show up (and RSVP if requested on the schedule, below). Classes can also be scheduled for groups of 12 or more adults - all you need to do is provide a location and help advertise the class. To schedule a SKYWARN^TM class for your organization in the the NWS Melbourne Warning Area or for further information about the NWS Melbourne SKYWARN^TM Program, contact Warning Coordination Meteorologist Scott Spratt at: 800-683-4468 ext 223 or by email to: Scott.Spratt@noaa.gov Two internet-based SKYWARN courses are also available and recommended. However, since these modules do not cover local aspects of east-central Florida severe weather, they will not count for NWS Melbourne spotter training. You must attend a formal class to become an official spotter for NWS Melbourne, and to obtain your spotter ID card. SKYWARN SPOTTER CLASSES FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA SCHEDULE (PDF) SCHEDULE (DOC)
Submit a Storm Report to NWS Melbourne Click for Description of Activation Levels

One of the most important assets to the NWS warning, forecast, and verification process is the SKYWARN^TM Spotter Network. NWS trained weather spotters provide real-time reports of tornadoes, hail, winds, flooding and hurricane damage. SKYWARN^TM spotters include Ham Radio operators, emergency responders and communication dispatchers, citizen groups and you! Please check the links below for upcoming SKYWARN spotter classes scheduled for your area. The classes are free, and all you need to do is show up (and RSVP if requested on the schedule, below).

Classes can also be scheduled for groups of 12 or more adults - all you need to do is provide a location and help advertise the class. To schedule a SKYWARN^TM class for your organization in the the NWS Melbourne Warning Area or for further information about the NWS Melbourne SKYWARN^TM Program, contact Warning Coordination Meteorologist Scott Spratt at: 800-683-4468 ext 223 or by email to: Scott.Spratt@noaa.gov

Two internet-based SKYWARN courses are also available and recommended. However, since these modules do not cover local aspects of east-central Florida severe weather, they will not count for NWS Melbourne spotter training. You must attend a formal class to become an official spotter for NWS Melbourne, and to obtain your spotter ID card.

SKYWARN SPOTTER CLASSES FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

SCHEDULE (PDF) SCHEDULE (DOC)

Submit a Storm Report to NWS Melbourne

Click for Description of Activation Levels

Hazards: Clicking either the above selector graphic, or the Spotter Activation Map will bring you to the Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook.	Current Spotter Activation Map:

Situation Links:

Local Hazardous Weather Outlook (text version)

Florida Watches & Warnings

Local Forecast Discussion

Local area weather blog

Mesoscale Discussions (Storm Prediction Center)

Spotter References:

Submit a Storm Report to NWS Melbourne

NWS Melbourne's area of responsibility

Hail size table

Ham Radio References:

WX4MLB (Ham station in the weather office)

Active amateur radio spotter groups in the local area

SKYWARN Recognition Day (PDFs)
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018

About SKYWARN:

Local SKYWARN^TM Coordinator Contact

Local area training event schedule pdf doc

National (NWS) SKYWARN^TM Page

On-line Spotter Training:

Jetstream

COMET/MetEd SKYWARN Spotter Training

New One Inch Criteria for Severe Hail

HAILSTONE SIZE SCALE
B.B., PEA, MARBLE	LESS THAN .70"
DIME	.70"
PENNY	.75"
NICKEL	.88"
QUARTER	1.00" (criteria for severe hail)
HALF DOLLAR	1.25"
WALNUT	1.50"
GOLFBALL	1.75"
HEN EGG	2.00"
TENNIS BALL	2.50"
BASEBALL	2.75"
GRAPEFRUIT	4.00"
SOFTBALL	4.50"

LIST OF ACTIVE AMATEUR RADIO SPOTTER GROUPS (as of 8/15/11) Below is a list of various amateur radio and react organizations who assist the National Weather Service by activating a SKYWARN^TM weather net when severe weather threatens east central Florida. If there is a need to update this information, please e-mail Scott Spratt .
COUNTY	ORGANIZATION	REPEATER FREQUENCY
Brevard (North) Mims/Scottsmoor	North Brevard SKYWARN^TM Association	147.330+ 107.2 tone
Brevard (North) Titusville	Titusville ARC	146.910-
Brevard (Central) Cocoa/Rockledge	Indian River ARC	145.370- 156.7 tone
Brevard (South)	Platinum Coast ARS (PCARS)	146.850
Indian River	Treasure Coast Weather Net	146.775- 107.2 tone
Volusia	Volusia Co. SKYWARN^TM	147.240+ 123.0 tone
Seminole	Seminole Co. SKYWARN^TM	147.165+ 147.195+ 103.5 tone
Orange	Orange Co. ARES	443.050 103.5 tone
Disney	Disney Emergency Amateur Radio Service (DEARS)	146.700 147.300+ 103.5 tone
Lake	Lake Co. ARES	147.000- 147.255 103.5 tone
Okeechobee	Okeechobee Co. ARES	147.195+ 100.0 tone
St. Lucie	Treasure Coast Weather Net SLCARES	146.775- 147.345+ 107.2 tone
Osceola	Osceola Co. ARES & EMCAT	145.350- 103.5 tone
Martin	Martin Co. SKYWARN^TM Association	147.060+ 145.150- 107.2 Tone

Area served by the NWS office in Melbourne

For counties not named above, contact your local NWS offices.