Alexandria ARES participates in the SKYWARN program, providing trained weather spotters who report severe weather conditions to the National Weather Service to help protect our community.
About SKYWARN
The SKYWARN program is a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters across the United States. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.
Amateur radio operators play a vital role in SKYWARN operations by providing reliable communications when severe weather threatens, ensuring critical weather reports reach the National Weather Service even when other communications systems are affected by the storm.
Our Role in Weather Operations
Alexandria ARES supports weather monitoring and reporting through:
- Trained Spotters: Members complete NWS SKYWARN spotter training to recognize and report severe weather
- Weather Nets: Special nets activated during severe weather events to coordinate spotter reports
- Equipment: Mobile and portable stations capable of operating during adverse conditions
- 24/7 Readiness: Volunteers available to deploy when severe weather threatens the area
KQ4DNE Weather Dashboard
The dashboard below provides real-time weather data relevant to Alexandria and the surrounding region. This dashboard uses HamDashboard software created by VA3DHL and is deployed by KQ4DNE for use during weather net operations to monitor current conditions and track developing weather systems.
This content is embedded from an external source. If you cannot see it, open in new window.
Weather dashboard powered by VA3DHL’s HamDashboard. Alexandria ARES uses this tool for weather net operations and severe weather monitoring. All weather data should be verified with official National Weather Service sources.
Severe Weather Reporting
During severe weather events, SKYWARN spotters provide ground truth reports to the National Weather Service including:
- Tornado sightings and funnel clouds
- Large hail (1 inch diameter or larger)
- Damaging winds (58+ mph or structural damage)
- Heavy rainfall and flooding
- Severe thunderstorm characteristics
These reports help the National Weather Service:
- Verify radar data
- Issue or update weather warnings
- Improve short-term forecasts
- Document storm characteristics
Getting Involved
Interested in becoming a SKYWARN spotter? Here’s how to get started:
- Complete NWS Training: Free online SKYWARN spotter training is available through the National Weather Service
- Join Weather Nets: Participate in weather nets during events to gain experience
- Learn Weather Basics: Study thunderstorm development, cloud formations, and severe weather indicators
- Get Equipment: Handheld or mobile radio for reporting, plus basic weather observation tools
No amateur radio license yet? You can still become a SKYWARN spotter. Weather reports can be made via telephone, but amateur radio provides the most reliable communications path during severe weather when phone systems may be affected.
Resources
- National Weather Service: weather.gov
- SKYWARN Program: weather.gov/skywarn
- Local NWS Office: Sterling, VA (LWX) covers the Alexandria area
- SKYWARN Training: Check the NWS website for upcoming training sessions
Important Weather Safety Note
Always prioritize your safety when observing severe weather. Do not put yourself at risk to obtain weather reports. If you are in immediate danger from severe weather, seek shelter immediately and report when it is safe to do so.