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NWS Melbourne SKYWARN Overview

One of the most important assets to the NWS warning, forecast, and verification process is the SKYWARN Spotter Network. NWS trained weather spotters provide real-time reports of tornadoes, hail, winds, flooding and hurricane damage. SKYWARN spotters include Ham Radio operators, emergency responders and communication dispatchers, citizen groups and you! Please check below for upcoming SKYWARN spotter classes scheduled for your area. The classes are free, and all you need to do is show up (and RSVP if requested on the schedule, below).

Two internet-based SKYWARN courses are also available and recommended. However, since these modules do not cover local aspects of east-central Florida severe weather, they will not count for NWS Melbourne spotter training. You must attend a formal class to become an official spotter for NWS Melbourne, and to obtain your spotter ID card.

For further information about the NWS Melbourne SKYWARN Program, contact Will Ulrich, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, the National Weather Service in Melbourne at 321-255-0212 ext. 5 or by email to william.ulrich@noaa.gov.

 

 
Class Schedule

The following schedule reflects the dates, times and locations of upcoming SKYWARN spotter classes and other hazardous weather presentations. This schedule will be modified regularly as new talks are added. Most of the talks are open to the public and all interested parties are encouraged to attend (any exceptions will be noted below). The presentations generally last two hours in length and are free. Please pre-register via the link(s) below if you would like to attend. For virtual classes, you will receive an email with instructions to register for the training session approximately one week in advance. A National Weather Service meteorologist will discuss various aspects of severe weather, storm spotting, and severe weather safety. Please direct any questions about SKYWARN training classes and other hazardous weather presentations within east central Florida to william.ulrich@noaa.gov.

Virtual Classes
Date Time Registration Link
--- --- Next Virtual Class will be held in the Spring of 2025. 
     
In-Person Classes

County

Date

Time

Location

Registration Link

!NEW! Seminole Wed. Feb. 5 6 - 8 p.m. Seminole County Emergency Operations Center (Map) Register
         

 

 

 

 

Spotter Links
Hazardous Weather  Local Area Forecast Discussion
  Local Hazardous Weather Outlook
  Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Mesoscale Discussion
  Local Storm Reports (Text)  |  Storm Reports (Graphical)
   
Spotter References Submit a Storm Report
  NWS Weather Spotter Field Guide
   

SKYWARN Recognition Day
 

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2023

   
About SKYWARN National SKYWARN Page
   
Additional Training COMET / MetEd SKYWARN Spotter Training


 

Hailstone Size Scale
BB less than 0.25"
Pea 0.25"
Marble 0.50"
Penny 0.75"
Nickel 0.88"
Quarter 1.00" (criteria for severe hail)
Half Dollar 1.25"
Walnut 1.50"
Golf Ball 1.75"
Hen Egg 2.00"
Tennis Ball 2.50"
Baseball 2.75"
Grapefruit 4.00"
Softball 4.50"

 

List of Active Amateur Radio Spotter Groups 
Below is a list of various amateur radio organizations, as of Oct. 2, 2023, who assist the National Weather Service by activating a SKYWARN weather net when severe weather threatens east central Florida. If there is a need to update this information, please e-mail sr-mlb.webmaster@noaa.gov.
County Organization Repeater Frequency Tone Notes

Brevard (North)

ARES of Brevard (BCAT)

North Brevard ARC

Titusville ARC

147.075+

--

146.910

146.970

146.775

107.2

--

107.2

107.2

100.0

Tone is TSQL.

Brevard (Central)

 

ARES of Brevard (BCAT)

Indian River ARC

147.135+

145.370-     

107.2

156.7

Tone is TSQL.

Brevard (South)

ARES of Brevard (BCAT)

Platinum Coast ARS (PCARS)

146.895-

146.850-     

146.610-

107.2

107.2

Tone is TSQL.

Tone 107.2 Hz from 1130 pm to 600 am

Indian River

Treasure Coast Weather Net

146.775-     

145.130-     

107.2

107.2

 

Volusia

Volusia Co. SKYWARN

147.240+    

146.865-

146.655-     

123.0

 

103.5

 

Seminole

Seminole Co. SKYWARN

147.165+    

147.090+    

103.5

103.5

 

Orange

Orange Co. Emergency Auxiliary Radio Team

443.050     

103.5

 

Disney

Disney Emergency ARS (DEARS)

146.700      

147.300+    

103.5

103.5

 

Lake

Lake Co. Amateur Radio Association/ARES

147.255+   

147.390+   

103.5

103.5

 

Okeechobee

Okeechobee Co. ARES

147.195+    

100.0

 

St. Lucie

Treasure Coast Weather Net SLCARES

146.775-     

147.345+    

107.2 

107.2 

 

Osceola

Osceola Co. ARES & EMCAT

145.350-     

103.5

 

Martin

Martin Co. SKYWARN Association

145.150-     

147.060+    

107.2 

107.2