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SKYWARN - Storm Operations
SKYWARN - Storm Operations
The Orange County Amateur Radio Club proudly supports severe weather operations through our trained SKYWARN weather spotters and amateur radio communications network. When severe weather threatens Orange County and the surrounding area, our club activates SKYWARN Nets as conditions warrant to gather and relay real-time ground reports. These reports provide critical information that radar cannot always detect and help the National Weather Service make more informed warning decisions. During an active net, all amateur radio operators are encouraged to monitor the repeater and report significant weather conditions they personally observe. When making a report, please include your location, the time of the observation, and any additional details that may assist forecasters or emergency officials.
SKYWARN - Spotter Safety
SKYWARN - Spotter Safety
The Orange County Amateur Radio Club supports storm spotting—not storm chasing. Our purpose is to provide timely, accurate reports of severe weather and storm damage while placing spotter safety first.
Storm chasing is especially dangerous in Southern Indiana because of our hilly, wooded terrain, limited visibility, and winding roads that may change direction unexpectedly. Spotters should never follow, intercept, or attempt to remain ahead of a severe storm. Whenever possible, observe and report from a safe, stationary location.
If using an elevated observation point, evaluate it before severe weather arrives, monitor the storm’s movement, maintain a clear exit strategy, and leave before conditions deteriorate.
No weather report is worth risking your safety or the safety of others. Observe safely, report accurately, and never place yourself in the path of a storm.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
When a severe weather warning is issued for Orange and surrounding counties (as needed) a SKYWARN severe weather net will activate on the 147.045+ / 103.5 PL Tone repeater in Paoli with a net control operator acting as the go between with the National Weather Service office in Louisville, KY. any reports meeting the criteria below will be communicated to NWS via email, website or phone depending on severity of the situation on the ground.
When the net is activated call in to the Net Control Op with:
Callsign (phonetically)
Location (physical address or nearest cross street if sending in emergency information)
Your station status (checking in as monitoring or checking in with information for net control)
Please keep communications short and to the point so that others with emergency traffic can break in if needed.
Net control may ask an additional station to act as a backup net control operator in the event the net control station goes down.
WHAT SHOULD I REPORT?
WHAT SHOULD I REPORT?
Please report the following conditions during an active SKYWARN Net:
Quarter-size (1 inch) hail or larger
Estimated or measured wind speeds of 55 mph or greater
Flash flooding affecting roads, homes, businesses, or other property
Sightings of a funnel cloud
Confirmed tornado sightings
Your reports provide valuable "ground truth" that complements radar and other weather detection systems. Accurate, timely reports from trained spotters can help improve warning decisions and ultimately protect lives and property throughout Orange County and surrounding communities.
The OCARC is available for other emergencies for communications purposes when requested by county, state or federal emergency agencies but are not currently affiliated with RACES, ARES or AUXCOMM operations with those agencies.
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