TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN DISTRICT 3 (OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA (INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.17 DATE: April 29, 2007
SUBJECT: WEATHER WATCH OR WARNING
This is another one of those bulletins that will never wear out. It should be repeated every year, if need e. This time of the year we will start getting severe weather advisories, but we don't want to get them mixed up.
When dealing with the weather, the National Weather Service has two ways of advising us of impending weather. a weather WATCH and a weather WARNING. Both bear similar meaning; yet alert us in a different manner.
A weather WATCH, identifies a relatively large area in which flash floods, or severe storms might occur. Take note "Might Occur". Watches are quite often issued before any severe weather has developed. Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches used to include a 140 mile wide, by 200 mile long area, but that is not always the case, it can be any size or shape that will cover the affected area. The WATCH is only an indication of where and when the severe weather probabilities are highest, and SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH A Weather "WARNING".
A weather WARNING, is issued when severe weather has already developed and has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Take another note "Already developed and reported". WARNINGS are statements of impending danger and are issued for relatively small areas in, or near, the path of a severe storm or downstream from flooding areas.
Remember these differences and be prepared to operate accordingly. During a weather WATCH, Emergency Communications personnel such as ARES, RACES, and MARS members are asked to monitor their reas for severe weather. Be prepared to report any severe weather and activate the SKYWARN NET, if it occurs in your area. During a WARNING, the SKYWARN NET should be activated and reports from all locations taken, whether there is severe weather in your area or not. This gives those in the net an idea of how large, or small, the affected area is, and how fast it is moving. All Amateur Radio Operators, not just RACES, ARES, and MARS members, are urged to participate. All reports of weather conditions and activities, NOT JUST SEVERE weather, should be reported to the Net Control Station immediately so the registered Spotters in our area can relay the information to the National Weather Service Office. A report of severe weather in your area may save a life, so join in the SKYWARN Nets when they are activated.
(Reprinted, with modifications, of District 3 ARES BULLETIN 06.09)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Assistant Section Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator