SKYWARN is the National Weather Service's (NWS) nationwide program of trained volunteer severe weather spotters. SKYWARN volunteers support their local community and government by providing the NWS with timely and accurate reports of hazardous weather to their local NWS office. These reports, when integrated with NWS Doppler Radar signatures and other data, can be critical in the issuance of severe weather warnings. This helps to save lives and protect property...the primary mission of the NWS.
The SKYWARN program was formed in the early 1970's after major tornado outbreaks ravaged many areas. Each NWS Office runs its own SKYWARN program. In New Hampshire, Cheshire and Hillsborough Counties are in the jurisdiction of the NWS Office in Taunton, MA. The NWS Office in Gray ME covers the remainder of the state.
SKYWARN volunteers are trained by NWS personnel to recognize features associated with rapidly developing, mature, and dissipating thunderstorms which cause hazardous weather. SKYWARN spotters also provide reports of heavy snow, heavy rain and flooding.
Training sessions are held In New Hampshire by both the Boston and Gray Forecast Offices, typically in the late spring and early summer months. To keep informed of the latest training dates and locations, you can listen for announcements on NOAA Weather Radio.
Hillsborough County Amateur Radio Emergency Servies (ARES) is a proud contributor to the SKYWARN program of the National Weather Service in Taunton MA.
For more information regarding NWS Taunton's SKYWARN program, see the NWS Taunton SKYWARN webpage, or the WX1BOX webpage. Or, you can email Scott KC2JCB, Hillsborough County Assistant Emergency Coordinator for SKYWARN.