TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 16.19 DATE: May 8, 2016
SUBJECT: SPRING STORM SEASON APPROACHING.
It's already May, Winter is over, and Spring is here. Now is a good time to get out those SKYWARN study guides and review some of the information. Probably the most important item to remember is: 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 an area 140 mile wide, by 200 mile long area, but the National Weather Service has changed that since they have been using Doppler Radar. They have a better view of storms that are coming, and can advise a smaller area. The WATCH is only and indication of where and when the severe weather probabilities are highest, and SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH A 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 near, or in the path of, a severe storm or downstream from flooding areas.
Remember these differences and be prepared to operate accordingly. During a weather WATCH, Wood County Emergency Communications, Wood County ARES, and Wood County RACES members are asked to monitor their areas for severe weather. Be prepared to report any severe weather and activate the SKYWARN NET, if it occurs in your area. During a WATCH, operators should monitor the 147.255 MHz repeater and discuss what they are seeing. During a WARNING, the SKYWARN NET should be activated on the repeater, and reports from all locations taken, whether there is severe weather in your area or not. By getting all reports, the size, and speed, of a storm can be determined. All Amateurs Radio operators, especially ARES and RACES members, are urged to participate.
Any reports of severe weather activity should be reported to the Net Control Station immediately so the registered Spotters in your area can relay the information to the National Weather Service Office in Charleston. All rain gauge personnel should report their immediate information to their coordinator, or to the National Weather Service. A report of severe weather in your area, may save a life, so join in the SKYWARN Nets when they are activated. Also be sure that you have the National Weather Service telephone number handy.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
District 3 ARES District Emergency Coordinator
WCEC
Wood County WV