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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|