The Eyes And Ears Of Severe Weather

Volunteers observe and report backyard weather to help save lives

Peachtree City, Ga (Grady NewSource) – An extensive network of volunteers act as the foot soldiers for the National Weather Service during severe weather.

Working in part with amateur radio operators, the Skywarn severe weather spotters send back crucial observations to forecasters, who incorporate the data into public weather bulletins.

“They play a vital role in helping us monitor what is really happening,” says Barry Gooden, Warnings Coordinator for the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City. “We only see what’s up in the storm clouds so we really need that verification to know what’s happening on the ground.”

Gooden, whose office covers metro Atlanta, says spotter positions are open to the general public and no previous experience is needed.

• Skywarn Spotter training schedule
• Georgia Skywarn and Amateur Radio information

Storm reports can also be submitted by the phone and Web.