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 on 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)

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 (scott.spratt@noaa.gov)

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 11/14/19)

Below is a list of various amateur radio 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@noaa.gov.

COUNTY	ORGANIZATION	REPEATER FREQ	TONE	NOTES
Brevard (North) Mims/Scottsmoor	North Brevard SKYWARN Association North Brevard ARC	147.330+	107.2
Brevard (North) Titusville	Titusville ARC	146.970- 146.775-	107.2 100.0
Brevard (Central) Cocoa / Rockledge	Indian River ARC	145.370-	156.7
Brevard (South) Melbourne / Palm Bay	Platinum Coast ARS (PCARS)	146.850- 146.610-	107.2*	*Tone 107.2 Hz from 1130 pm to 600 am
Indian River	Treasure Coast Weather Net	146.775- 145.130-	107.2 107.2
Volusia	Volusia Co. SKYWARN	147.240+ 146.865- 146.655-	123.0 103.5
Seminole	Seminole Co. SKYWARN	147.165+ 147.090+	103.5 103.5
Orange	Orange Co. Emergency Auxiliary Radio Team	443.050	103.5
Disney	Disney Emergency ARS (DEARS)	146.700 147.300+	103.5 103.5
Lake	Lake Co. Amateur Radio Association/ARES	147.255+ 147.390+	103.5 103.5
Okeechobee	Okeechobee Co. ARES	147.195+	100.0
St. Lucie	Treasure Coast Weather Net SLCARES	146.775- 147.345+	107.2 107.2
Osceola	Osceola Co. ARES & EMCAT	145.350-	103.5
Martin	Martin Co. SKYWARN Association	145.150- 147.060+	107.2 107.2

Area served by the NWS office in Melbourne

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