Governor Bob Riley has declared this week to be Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama. The National Weather Service, in partnership with emergency management and the media, will be focusing on the threat of deadly severe weather in Alabama and helping you to survive.
This year’s theme is, “In a Matter of Seconds, Are You Ready?†Each day during Severe Weather Awareness Week, we will focus on a different aspect of severe weather.
Today, Sunday, we will be looking at the very important role of SKYWARN volunteers. These specially trained individuals go into action whenever the National Weather Service calls for spotter activation. Strategically placed throughout their counties or communities, the invaluable sentries are the eyes and ears of the Weather Forecaster. When radar indicates severe or tornadic potential, these men and women provide the essential ground truth that tells the NWS meteorologist what is really going on with the storm. Is there large hail? Is there a wall cloud or lowering? Is a tornado or funnel cloud actually present. These heroes receive no compensation for their efforts. If your community does not have a SKYWARN program, the National Weather Service will be glad to help develop one.
The National Weather Service maintains a valuable weather data service called EMWIN, or the Emergency Manager’s Weather Information system. It provides priority warning service at no cost through the internet and via satellite. This free service requires only receiving equipment and inexpensive software.
