TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN
DISTRICT 3 (OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA
(INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.17 DATE: April 29,
2007
SUBJECT: WEATHER WATCH OR WARNING
This is another one of those bulletins that will never wear
out. It should be repeated every year, if need e. This time
of the year we will start getting severe weather advisories, but we
don't want to get them mixed up.
When dealing with the weather, the National Weather Service
has two ways of advising us of impending weather. a weather WATCH and a
weather WARNING. Both bear similar meaning; yet alert us in a
different manner.
A weather WATCH, identifies a relatively large area in which flash
floods, or severe storms might occur. Take note "Might Occur".
Watches are quite often issued before any severe weather has developed.
Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches used to include a 140 mile wide,
by 200 mile long area, but that is not always the case, it can be any
size or shape that will cover the affected area. The WATCH is only
an indication of where and when the severe weather probabilities are
highest, and SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH A Weather "WARNING".
A weather WARNING, is issued when severe weather has already
developed and has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.
Take another note "Already developed and reported". WARNINGS are
statements of impending danger and are issued for relatively small areas
in, or near, the path of a severe storm or downstream from flooding
areas.
Remember these differences and be prepared to operate
accordingly. During a weather WATCH, Emergency Communications
personnel such as ARES, RACES, and MARS members are asked to monitor
their reas for severe weather. Be prepared to report any severe
weather and activate the SKYWARN NET, if it occurs in your area.
During a WARNING, the SKYWARN NET should be activated and reports from
all locations taken, whether there is severe weather in your area or
not. This gives those in the net an idea of how large, or small,
the affected area is, and how fast it is moving. All Amateur Radio
Operators, not just RACES, ARES, and MARS members, are urged to
participate. All reports of weather conditions and activities, NOT
JUST SEVERE weather, should be reported to the Net Control Station
immediately so the registered Spotters in our area can relay the
information to the National Weather Service Office. A report of
severe weather in your area may save a life, so join in the SKYWARN Nets
when they are activated.
(Reprinted, with modifications, of District 3 ARES BULLETIN 06.09)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Assistant Section Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator