SKYWARN Q&A

This page attempts to answer many of the frequently asked questions about our team and the SKYWARN program. If there's something you'd like to know that's not listed here, take a look at our Other Q&A Topics, check the SKYWARN Operations Manual, or send us an e-mail.

Report Quality

What kinds of things can I report?

In general, any significant weather event, or weather-related damage, can be reported. Our Net Control Operators will periodically announce the types of reports we are looking for. Usually, this will be based on the standard SKYWARN Reporting Criteria.

What kinds of things should I not report?

There are a few common reports we receive which we really aren't interested in. These reports do not meet SKYWARN reporting criteria and only clog up the airwaves:

• Dark clouds.
• Sunshine.
• It is raining.
• It has stopped raining.
• Lightning - except for reports of fires or injuries due to lightning- we want those reports!
• Estimated wind speeds - we want measured wind speeds or the effects of the wind (downed trees, structural damage).
• Power/utility outages.

Listen closely to what SKYWARN Net Control is asking for. Net Control is required to log all reports that come into the net, not just those which meet reporting criteria. Reporting things which are of no use to SKYWARN will only result in unnecessary work for Net Control and may inhibit other stations from calling in reports.

What if I'm not sure my report meets the criteria?

Call it in to us.