Post by KB3FCK on Mar 30, 2005 12:32:02 GMT -5
Storm spotters keeping an eye on Hall
Local SKYWARN team looks out for signs of severe weather
By NIKKI YOUNG
The Times
Severe weather updates that scroll across television often are reported by volunteer storm spotters like those who kept watch on cloud formations and high winds during a stormy Easter Sunday in Hall County.
Amateur radio operator John Brandon, who is Hall's SKYWARN emergency coordinator, made calls Sunday to determine if the threat warranted activating the volunteer group.
"We didn't activate this week because we looked to see how severe it was, and it wasn't here," Brandon said.
"They don't want us to report, 'We've got hail the size of grains of corn out here.' They're looking for something big."
But spotters still watched the skies and reported conditions to the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, he said.
In more serious situations, SKYWARN could form a net control, a network of spotters led by one person who radios reports to the weather service.
Meteorologist Robert Beasley of the weather service said there were few spotter reports Sunday and Monday in North Georgia.
"Most everything we had was hail. No wind reports. No tornadoes," Beasley said.
"That's the main thing spotters are used for is the development of tornadoes."
In the 1970s, the weather service began seeking the help of communities to monitor dangerous weather.
SKYWARN volunteers are active especially during storm season, which starts about the beginning of April in the South.
The Hall group formed in 2002 when the county became "storm ready," said David Kimbrell, director of the local Emergency Management Agency. Each spotter attends a training class with Barry Gooden, the weather service's warning coordination meteorologist.
"We get so many reports of tornadoes from people, and a lot of those are just clouds moving fast and not tornadoes," Kimbrell said.
"The more people we can train with this type of information, we can cut down on false alarms. It gives us a more accurate depiction of the weather."
The agency organizes classes, and the weather service handles training. Kimbrell said a recent class drew 65 people, not all of whom were amateur radio operators. Law enforcement officers, fire personnel and other residents came as well.
Spotters are recertified through training every other year, Kimbrell said.
Amateur radio operators test their emergency network weekly, Brandon said. The controller sends out a call for spotters to make sure all of Hall and adjacent counties are covered. Last week, 15 to 20 people responded.
Hall County EMA tests its storm sirens weekly. Residents may have noticed the discreet sirens that resemble eight or 10 thick pancakes on top of a telephone pole, Kimbrell said.
In addition to their personal radios, SKYWARN spotters soon will have new equipment at the Emergency Operations Center on Crescent Drive.
The current walkie-talkies have a short range. New high frequency equipment can extend across the country, Brandon said.
Local SKYWARN team looks out for signs of severe weather
By NIKKI YOUNG
The Times
Severe weather updates that scroll across television often are reported by volunteer storm spotters like those who kept watch on cloud formations and high winds during a stormy Easter Sunday in Hall County.
Amateur radio operator John Brandon, who is Hall's SKYWARN emergency coordinator, made calls Sunday to determine if the threat warranted activating the volunteer group.
"We didn't activate this week because we looked to see how severe it was, and it wasn't here," Brandon said.
"They don't want us to report, 'We've got hail the size of grains of corn out here.' They're looking for something big."
But spotters still watched the skies and reported conditions to the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, he said.
In more serious situations, SKYWARN could form a net control, a network of spotters led by one person who radios reports to the weather service.
Meteorologist Robert Beasley of the weather service said there were few spotter reports Sunday and Monday in North Georgia.
"Most everything we had was hail. No wind reports. No tornadoes," Beasley said.
"That's the main thing spotters are used for is the development of tornadoes."
In the 1970s, the weather service began seeking the help of communities to monitor dangerous weather.
SKYWARN volunteers are active especially during storm season, which starts about the beginning of April in the South.
The Hall group formed in 2002 when the county became "storm ready," said David Kimbrell, director of the local Emergency Management Agency. Each spotter attends a training class with Barry Gooden, the weather service's warning coordination meteorologist.
"We get so many reports of tornadoes from people, and a lot of those are just clouds moving fast and not tornadoes," Kimbrell said.
"The more people we can train with this type of information, we can cut down on false alarms. It gives us a more accurate depiction of the weather."
The agency organizes classes, and the weather service handles training. Kimbrell said a recent class drew 65 people, not all of whom were amateur radio operators. Law enforcement officers, fire personnel and other residents came as well.
Spotters are recertified through training every other year, Kimbrell said.
Amateur radio operators test their emergency network weekly, Brandon said. The controller sends out a call for spotters to make sure all of Hall and adjacent counties are covered. Last week, 15 to 20 people responded.
Hall County EMA tests its storm sirens weekly. Residents may have noticed the discreet sirens that resemble eight or 10 thick pancakes on top of a telephone pole, Kimbrell said.
In addition to their personal radios, SKYWARN spotters soon will have new equipment at the Emergency Operations Center on Crescent Drive.
The current walkie-talkies have a short range. New high frequency equipment can extend across the country, Brandon said.