Welcome to the ACURA Skywarn Weather Page
SKYWARN® WEATHER SPOTTER PROGRAM
Trained Volunteers Supporting the National Weather Service
SKYWARN® is a National Weather Service volunteer
program made up of trained severe-weather spotters who provide timely
and accurate reports of hazardous weather directly to the National
Weather Service.
During severe weather, trained amateur radio operators and other
SKYWARN volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the National Weather
Service. Their reports provide important ground-level information that
supplements weather radar, satellite data, and other observing systems.
Atlantic County and South Jersey are served by the
National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly Forecast Office.
This office provides forecasts, watches, warnings, and severe-weather
services for most of New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and
northeastern Maryland.
Who Can Become a Spotter?
You do not need to be an amateur radio operator to become a SKYWARN spotter. The Mount Holly program requires participants to complete an approved SKYWARN training class. Training is free and teaches participants how to safely recognize and report significant weather conditions.
Training Information
SKYWARN training covers thunderstorm development, storm structure, hazardous-weather identification, what information should be reported, how to submit reports, and basic severe-weather safety. Local classes and webinars are announced by the National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly office.
Conditions commonly reported by trained spotters include:
- Tornadoes and funnel clouds
- Wall clouds and rotating storms
- Damaging winds and wind damage
- Large or damaging hail
- Flash flooding and coastal flooding
- Heavy snow and ice accumulation
- Waterspouts
- Significant storm damage
Amateur Radio and SKYWARN:
Amateur radio can provide an important communications resource during
severe weather and emergencies. Trained radio operators may relay
reports through established SKYWARN nets when requested. Always follow
the procedures provided during official SKYWARN training and by the
local net-control station.
Safety First:
Never place yourself in danger to make a weather report. Do not enter
flooded roadways or attempt to follow or intercept severe storms.
Always follow National Weather Service warnings and instructions from
local emergency-management and public-safety officials.
Emergency Situations:
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. SKYWARN reporting channels
are intended for significant weather observations and are not a
replacement for emergency services.