Description: The NWS staff at the Cleveland Forecast Office in Ohio, are responsible for issuing warnings for most of Northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania. The Skywarn spotter program is a nationwide network of volunteers trained by the National Weather Service (NWS) to report significant weather. During significant weather events, Skywarn volunteers become our eyes and ears helping to provide better weather watch and warning services to the public. The training will include an overview of severe weather, and training on how to properly identify various storm characteristics indicative of high risk.
About Skywarn™
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What is Skywarn™
The SkywarnTM spotter program is a nationwide network of volunteers trained by the National Weather Service (NWS) to report significant weather. Anyone is welcome to participate.
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Why Have Skywarn ™
The NWS staff at the Cleveland Forecast Office in Ohio, are responsible for issuing warnings for most of Northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania. It is impossible to observe conditions in each of these regions simultaneously during a severe weather event. SkywarnTM volunteers become our eyes and ears helping to provide better weather watch and warning services to the public.
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When will Skywarn™ Function?
Information is relayed to the National Weather Service during tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, snow storms, flooding, and any other weather event that involves the use of volunteer storm spotters.
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Who will activate Skywarn™
The Weather Office and/or emergency management authorities may activate the SkywarnTM net usually whenever there is a threat severe weather or the forecast office issues a severe thunderstorm watch, tornado watch, or flood watch. In this case, information will be relayed through our amateur radio repeater.
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Where will Skywarn™ observations be taken?
SkywarnTM reports are relayed from wherever you are- on the road, in your office, or at your home- you don't have to travel to any particular location! It is important, however, to not jeopardize your own safety while participating in SkywarnTM.