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Citizens dedicated to protecting life and property
| Weather Story for Wichita Warned Area Weather Forecast 03-16-2025 20:38:02 Time displayed is Central This day in weather history |
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Wichita NWS Served Counties
Allen, Barton, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Ellsworth, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Labette, Lincoln, Marion, McPherson, Montgomery, Neosho, Reno, Rice, Russell, Saline, Sedgwick, Sumner, Wilson, and Woodson.
Who and What is SKYWARN®? NWS offices across the country utilize various spotter networks for severe and other inclement weather verification and reporting. The various spotter networks are comprised of emergency management officials, law enforcement, TV meteorologists and radio stations, fire fighters, EMS personnel, and road crews. We also utilize the general public with training taking place during the late winter and early spring as NWS personnel travel to various counties to provide training. A final group of spotters utilized by our NWS office are amateur radio operators. These and other agencies not listed are working together with Wichita Skywarn group members creating an active, reliable sources to protect and serve the public.
SKYWARN® (formed in the early 1970s) is the National Weather Service (NWS) program of volunteer severe weather spotters. SKYWARN® volunteers support their local community and government by providing the NWS with timely and accurate severe weather reports. These reports, when integrated with modern NWS technology, are used to inform communities of approaching severe weather. The focus of SKYWARN® (and of the NWS) is simple...to save lives and property. Since the 2011, the Dual-Polarized Doppler Weather Radar has provided valuable information to forecasters...with better detection of severe storm phenomena and more accurate and timely warnings. However, even with the advance in technology..."ground truth" is still a very important part of the warning process. "Ground truth" is what is actually occurring. This is especially true as the radar continues to scan higher at as it gets at greater distance from the radar. Is the storm tornadic? Is it producing large hail? How about damaging winds? Most of the "ground truth" is provided by trained storm spotters (through SKYWARN®)...or the "eyes of the NWS." How do I become a member of SKYWARN? SKYWARN® storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the nation's first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time -- more lead time minutes that can help save lives. The NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service and access to communication, such as amateur radio, to join the SKYWARN® program. Volunteers include Emergency Management trained personnel, firefighters, sports directors with summer and school sporting events, and others who have the responsibility of protecting the public are also encouraged to become a spotter. There are a few essential requirements to becoming a SKYWARN® volunteer. Basics of thunderstorm developmentTo be a good SKYWARN® member - to be someone that: Is safe and not in the way Every year the National Weather Service in Wichita conducts spotter training sessions introducing storm aware individuals as to what look for and where to remain safe. What and how to report information and basic severe weather safety are also covered. The class is a multi-media presentation which includes detailed video. The presentation typically lasts around 2 hours. More information on Storm Spotter presentations will be posted at the top of this page when they become available. There are no required courses, however you need to be able to show weather knowledge and aptitude.
To view online spotter guides click here. |
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Updated: Thursday, November 23, 2023 20:29
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