Join in recognizing all of the Skywarn™ spotters serving our nation by participating in 2024 Skywarn™ Recognition Day (SRD 2024) from 0000Z to 2400Z on Saturday, December 7th.

Participants should use the SRD 2024 Registration Form to obtain their SRD number and are encouraged to plot their Spotter Location on the SRD 2024 Spotter Map.

SRD 2024 contact log submission may be completed through Google Forms or the Skywarn™ Recognition Day Facebook Page.

⚠️ The log submission deadline is January 31, 2025.

Event participation certificates will be available at the conclusion of Skywarn™ Recognition Day.

Event Resources

• Operating Procedures
• Participant and WFO Registration Lists
• SRD 2024 Contact Log Sheet (PDF)
• SRD 2024 NWS Office Contact Log Sheet—coming soon
• Social Media Planning Document (PDF)
• ARRL SKYWARN Recognition Day page

About Skywarn™ Recognition Day

Skywarn™ Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that Skywarn™ volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property Amateur radio operators comprise a large percentage of the Skywarn™ volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency management if normal communications become inoperative.

All Skywarn™ spotters provide critical weather information before, during and after adverse weather strikes. This includes reports of rain and snow, ice and wind, storms and tornadoes, flooding and fire. This is our 24 hours to recognize all of the Skywarn™ spotters serving our nation!

Be sure to follow your local NWS social media pages and other social media outlets for additional ways to participate in SRD 2024. ¹

Photos and event statistics from previous SKYWARN Recognition Days are available on the NWS Skywarn™ Recognition Day page

Flash Flooding information from the National Weather Service Bismarck, ND, Weather Forecast Office for the 2024 North Dakota Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week: April 22–26

Flash Flood Safety

During a flood, water levels and the rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television.

3 Simple Steps

1️⃣ GET TO HIGHER GROUND

Get out of areas subject to flooding.

2️⃣ DO NOT DRIVE INTO WATER

Do NOT drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6" of water to knock you off your feet.

3️⃣ STAY INFORMED

Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet or social media for updates.

Do you really know how deep the water is?

6 INCHES

of fast-moving water can knock over and carry away an adult.

12 INCHES

of fast-moving water can carry away a small car.

18–24 INCHES

of fast moving water can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks.

ℹ️ Originally published at https://www.weather.gov/bis/nd_summer_5

Lightning information from the National Weather Service Bismarck, ND, Weather Forecast Office for the 2024 North Dakota Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week: April 22–26

Get Indoors!

On average there are 47 deaths each year in the United States resulting from lightning strikes. If you are outside and can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck!

Lightning can strike as far as 15 miles from any rain falling with the thunderstorm.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

• STOP all outdoor activities
• Seek shelter in a building or hard-topped vehicle
• Wait 30 minutes after you last hear thunder to resume activities

ℹ️ Originally published at https://www.weather.gov/bis/nd_summer_4

Tornado Drill information from the National Weather Service Bismarck, ND, Weather Forecast Office for the 2024 North Dakota Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week: April 22–26

📢 There will be a Tornado Drill at 11:15AM on Wednesday April 24.

The tornado drill is a great time to:

• Review your severe weather plan of where to take shelter at home, work, or at school.
• Practice going to your shelter area.
• Ensure you have multiple ways of receiving a warning. Don’t just rely on the siren!

Disaster Supply Kit

🔗 from a NOAA infographic. Visit the ready.gov Build A Kit page for more information

• Food and water
• Battery powered weather radio
• Flashlights and batteries
• Cell phone with charger or spare battery pack
• First aid kit
• Pair of shoes
• List of emergency contacts
• Whistle to signal for help

Tornado Sirens

Sirens are for OUTDOOR warning purposes and are not meant to be heard indoors.

• Hearing a siren is a signal to move indoors and seek additional information.
• It does NOT mean that the threat has ended when the siren stops sounding.
• Sirens are activated by city or county officials, not the National Weather Service.

Outdoor warning sirens are designed to warn those outside of threatening weather or some other type of emergency. You may or may not be able to hear a siren from within your home, especially when you are sleeping. Also, sirens may become disabled by severe weather.

Sirens are activated primarily by city or county officials. Each city or county can establish its own guidelines for when to activate the siren, such as for severe thunderstorm warnings in addition to tornado warnings. Contact or visit the website of your city or county emergency management for outdoor siren policy.

Have Multiple Methods to receive NWS Watches and Warnings

• Local TV & Radio
• Smartphone weather apps and Wireless Emergency Alerts
• Internet e.g. https://weather.gov and https://mobile.weather.gov
• Word of Mouth (family, friends, coworkers)
• Outdoor Sirens only when you’re outdoors!
• NOAA Weather Radio

ℹ️ Originally published at https://www.weather.gov/bis/nd_summer_3

Tornado information from the National Weather Service Bismarck, ND, Weather Forecast Office for the 2024 North Dakota Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week: April 22–26

Tornado Sheltering Guidelines

Seek the best available refuge area immediately when a Tornado Warning is issued. Your change of surviving a tornado is excellent if you follow these guidelines.

Best Options For Shelter

👍 Stay in place until all clear

• Above or below ground Tornado Storm Shelter (NSSA/ICC 500 compliant) *
• Specifically-designed FEMA Safe Room *

* Recommended by FEMA

Good Options For Shelter

👍 Stay in place until all clear

• Interior room of a well-constructed home or building
• Basement

Bad Options For Shelter

⚠️ Find another option

• Large open rooms like gymnasiums
• Manufactured housing

Worst Options For Shelter

⚠️ Find another option

• Mobile homes
• Vehicles
• Underneath a highway overpass

Tornado Terminology

Tornado Watch

Weather conditions could lead to the formation of severe storms and tornadoes.

ℹ️ BE PREPARED: Know your safe location. Be ready to act quickly if a Warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.

Tornado Warning

A tornado has been spotted or indicated by weather radar, meaning a tornado is occurring or expected soon.

⚠️ TAKE ACTION: There is imminent danger to life and property. Immediately seek refuge in the safest location possible.

Tornado Emergency

An exceedingly rare situation with a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage due to a confirmed violent tornado.

⚠️ TAKE ACTION: There is imminent danger to life and property. Immediately seek refuge in the safest location possible.

Tornado Safety Tips

If in a building, go to the basement if one is available. Get under the stairs or a piece of sturdy furniture. If there is no basement, get to the innermost room on the lowest level, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Protect your head, neck and spine.

Stay away from windows! Avoid seeking shelter in gymnasiums or large auditoriums.

If in a mobile home, seek a storm shelter or a nearby permanent building. Have a plan! 40% of tornado deaths occur in mobile homes.

If you are outside and cannot get inside a sturdy structure, lay down in a ditch or low lying area (beware of possible flooding).

When driving, if a tornado is spotted in the distance, stay calm and drive away from it. However, in heavy traffic, never try to outrun a tornado. Seek shelter in a sturdy building. If no building is available, lay down in a ditch or low lying area.

ℹ️ Originally published at https://www.weather.gov/bis/nd_summer_2

Severe Thunderstorm information from the National Weather Service Bismarck, ND, Weather Forecast Office for the 2024 North Dakota Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week: April 22–26

A Severe Thunderstorm is defined as a thunderstorm capable of producing:

• Wind gusts of 58 mph or greater and/or
• Hail of one inch in diameter or larger

In addition to damaging winds and large hail, severe thunderstorms are also capable of producing tornadoes, flash flooding and deadly lightning.

What is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Safety Tips

Stay away from windows!! Flying debris and wind driven hail can break windows sending shards of glass through the air.

If camping, seek shelter inside a sturdy building as campers/RVs can be easily flipped by damaging winds associated with severe thunderstorms. Falling trees and large hail can easily penetrate the thin walls of a tent.

Those in mobile homes should go to their designated storm shelter. Destructive straight-line winds are capable of causing significant damage to mobile homes.

Severe thunderstorms are capable of producing tornadoes with little warning. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite media outlet for frequent weather updates.

ℹ️ Originally published at https://www.weather.gov/bis/nd_summer_awareness_1

Join in recognizing all of the Skywarn™ spotters serving our nation by participating in 2023 Skywarn™ Recognition Day (SRD 2023) from 0000Z to 2400Z on Saturday, December 2nd (CST: 6PM December 1st to 6PM December 2nd)

Participants should use the SRD 2023 Registration Form to obtain their SRD number and are encouraged to plot their Spotter Location on the SRD 2023 Spotter Map.

SRD 2023 contact log submission may be completed through Google Forms or the Skywarn™ Recognition Day Facebook Page.

⚠️ The log submission deadline is January 31, 2024.

Event participation certificates will be available at the conclusion of Skywarn™ Recognition Day.

Event Resources

• Operating Procedures
• Participant and WFO Registration Lists
• SRD 2023 Contact Log Sheet (PDF)
• SRD 2023 NWS Office Contact Log Sheet (PDF)
• ARRL SKYWARN Recognition Day page

About Skywarn™ Recognition Day

Skywarn™ Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that Skywarn™ volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property.

Amateur radio operators comprise a large percentage of the Skywarn™ volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency management if normal communications become inoperative.

All Skywarn™ spotters provide critical weather information before, during and after adverse weather strikes. This includes reports of rain and snow, ice and wind, storms and tornadoes, flooding and fire. This is our 24 hours to recognize all of the Skywarn&trade spotters serving our nation! ¹

Photos and event statistics from previous SKYWARN Recognition Days are available on the NWS Skywarn™ Recognition Day page

The RRRA May Meeting is your opportunity to become a SKYWARN® Spotter or refresh your training for 2023.

Participate in a timely and interesting class and enjoy some eyeball QSOs; no club business will be be discusssed at this meeting!

More information about this class—including resource links—is available on the Fargo SKYWARN Class page and the RRRA May Meeting page.

Please direct all questions about this class to .

Join in recognizing all of the Skywarn™ spotters serving our nation by participating in 2022 Skywarn™ Recognition Day (SRD 2022) from 0000Z to 2400Z on Saturday, December 3rd.

Participants should use the SRD 2022 Registration Form to obtain their SRD number and are encouraged to plot their Spotter Location on the SRD 2022 Spotter Map.

SRD 2022 contact log submission may be completed through Google Forms or the Skywarn™ Recognition Day Facebook Page.

The log submission deadline is January 31, 2023.

Event participation certificates will be available at the conclusion of Skywarn™ Recognition Day.

Event Resources

• Operating Procedures
• Participant and WFO Registration Lists
• SRD 2022 Contact Log Sheet (PDF)
• SRD 2022 NWS Office Contact Log Sheet (PDF)
• ARRL SKYWARN Recognition Day page

About Skywarn™ Recognition Day

Skywarn™ Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that Skywarn™ volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property.

Amateur radio operators comprise a large percentage of the Skywarn™ volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency management if normal communications become inoperative.

All Skywarn™ spotters provide critical weather information before, during and after adverse weather strikes. This includes reports of rain and snow, ice and wind, storms and tornadoes, flooding and fire. This is our 24 hours to recognize all of the Skywarn&trade spotters serving our nation! ¹

Photos and event statistics from previous SKYWARN Recognition Days are available on the NWS Skywarn™ Recognition Day page

These severe weather topics were presented during North Dakota 2021 Severe Summer Weather Week:

• Monday - Severe Thunderstorms
• Tuesday - Tornadoes
• Wednesday - Tornado Drill
• Thursday - Lightning
• Friday - Flash Flooding

Severe Thunderstorms ¹

A Severe Thunderstorm is defined as a thunderstorm capable of producing:

• Wind gusts of 58 mph or greater and / or
• Hail of one inch in diameter or greater

In addition to damaging winds and large hail, severe thunderstorms are also capable of producing tornados, flash flooding and deadly lightning.

Stay away from windows! Flying debris and wind driven hail can break windows sending shards of glass through the air.

If camping, seek shelter inside a sturdy building as campers/RVs can be easily flipped by damaging winds associated with severe thunderstorms. Falling trees and large hail can easily penetrate the thin walls of a tent.

Those in mobile homes should go to their designated storm shelter. Destructive straight-line winds are capable of causing significant damage to mobile homes.

Severe thunderstorms are capable of producing tornadoes with little warning. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite media outlet for frequent weather updates.

Tornadoes ²

Tornado Safety Tips

If in a building, go to the basement if one is available. Get under the stairs or a piece of sturdy furniture. If there is no basement, get to the centermost room on the lowest level, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Protect your head, neck and spine.

Stay away from windows! Avoid seeking shelter in gymnasiums or large auditoriums.

If in a mobile home, seek a storm shelter or a nearby permanent building. Have a plan! 40% of tornado deaths occur in mobile homes.

If you are outside and cannot get inside a sturdy structure, lay down in a ditch or low lying area (beware of possible flooding).

When driving, if a tornado is spotted in the distance, stay calm and drive away from it. However, in heavy traffic, never try to outrun a tornado. Seek shelter in a sturdy building. If no building is available, lay down in a ditch or low lying area.

Tornado Drill ³

Make a plan! And practice it!

The tornado drill is a great time to:

• Review your severe weather plan of where to take shelter at home, work or at school
• Practice going to your shelter area
• Ensure you have multiple ways of receiving a warning. Don’t just rely on the siren!

Don’t just rely on the Tornado Siren!

Outdoor warning sirens are designed to warn those outside of threatening weather or some other type of emergency. You may or may not be able to hear a siren from within your home, especially when you are sleeping. Also, sirens may become disabled by severe weather.

Sirens are activated primarily by city or county officials. Each city or county can establish its own guidelines for when to activate the siren, such as for severe thunderstorm warnings in addition to tornado warnings. Contact or visit the website of your city or county emergency management for outdoor siren policy.

Lightning ⁴

Get Indoors!

On average there are 47 deaths each year in the United States resulting from lightning strikes. If you are outside and can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck!

Lightning can strike as far as 15 miles from any rain falling with the thunderstorm.

The Deadly Danger Of Lightning!

Flash Flooding ⁵

Governor’s Proclamation

National Weather Service SKYWARN training through Spring of 2021 will be virtual only—consisting of on-line content with a real instructor—and will be presented through the GoToWebinar on-line events platform.

Classes—through the end of April—will be offered:

• Monday evenings (7–8PM)
• Tuesday afternoons (2–3PM)

These classes are free of charge and open to the public.

Anyone interested in attending one of these classes must register on-line.

April 2021 Virtual Class Sign-up

1. Visit the SkyWarn Refresher Registration page
2. Complete the registration form. If more than one person will be watching, you don’t need to register more than once - we’ll send an email about how to register as a spotter and get your certificate after the class
3. Once registered, you will receive an email with a link to join. Before the class, please visit the GoToWebinar System Check and try a test session to make sure your computer, tablet, or smartphone is ready to attend the class! If you do not have a strong internet connection, you will have the option to call in by phone to listen to the audio ¹

Year Round On-line Classes

1. Role of the SkyWarn Spotter
2. SkyWarn Spotter Convective Basics
3. SkyWarn Spotter Training

Participants must create a free MetEd user account before taking these courses

About MetEd

The MetEd website provides education and training resources to benefit the operational forecaster community, university atmospheric scientists and students, and anyone interested in learning more about meteorology, weather forecasting, and related geoscience topics. MetEd is populated and maintained by the COMET® Program, which is part of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research’s (UCAR’s) Community Programs (UCP). The MetEd website is made possible by the sponsors of the COMET® Program. ²

Resources

• Reference material for knowledge and safety
• Spotter Reference Guide 1
• Spotter Reference Guide 2
• Hail Size Chart
• FEMA - Building A Safe Room
• Scijinks - it’s all about weather for kids of all ages
• Jetstream - an online school for weather

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SKYWARN?

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 mid 1990s, the WSR-88D (Doppler Weather Radar) has provided valuable information to area 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. 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.”

Who Are SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotters?

SKYWARN spotters across North Dakota and Minnesota consist mainly of amateur radio operators, emergency response officials, and trained public responders. The vast majority of those involved are volunteers who provide this valuable public service. These Spotters donate their time and equipment to help us (the NWS) get warnings out to the public, and to get public reports of severe weather back to the NWS …by any means possible.

Spotters are generally self-activating… meaning they pay attention to the latest Forecast, Convective Outlook, and Watch or Warning… then they observe and report on the occurrence of severe weather from wherever they may be located.

How can I get involved?

Every year the National Weather Service in Grand Forks conducts both “basic” and “advanced” spotter training classes. Individuals are taught the basics of thunderstorm development, storm structure, what constitutes severe weather, and how to report this information. Advanced classes consider more extreme storm features to look for and where to find them. Additional information on reporting and basic severe weather safety are also covered.

Each class, Basic and Advanced, is a multi-media presentation which includes detailed video. Classes are typically scheduled back-to-back on the same evening. Each class typically takes around 70 minutes, with about a 15 minute break for questions and refreshments. New Spotters are encouraged to attend the Basic Class while veteran Spotters may chose to attend the Advanced Class.

Class schedules are published on the Skywarn, NWS WFO Grand Forks, ND page

SKYWARN Contact: Greg Gust, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS WFO Grand Forks

The NWS Forecast Office Grand Forks, ND will be participating in 2019 SKYWARN™ Recognition Day from 0000Z to 2400Z on Saturday, December 7th.

Event details, including the suggested exchange, are available on the ARRL 2019 SKYWARN Recognition Day page.

About SKYWARN Recognition Day

SKYWARN™ Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that SKYWARN volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property. Amateur radio operators comprise a large percentage of the SKYWARN volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency management if normal communications become inoperative. During the SKYWARN Special Event operators will visit NWS offices and contact other radio operators across the world.¹

Event certificates will be electronic and printable after the conclusion of SKYWARN Recognition Day.

Photos and event statistics from previous SKYWARN Recognition Days are available on the NWS SkyWarn Recognition Day page

#SKYWARN Recognition Day is Saturday, December 2 https://t.co/MhbEvs52Is #ARRL #HamRadio pic.twitter.com/nOVRVySkNf

— ARRL (@arrl) November 6, 2017

North Dakota Severe Weather Awareness Week 2017 is April 24th–28th.

Each day during Severe Weather Awareness Week a statement providing more information about severe weather safety will be issued by the NWS Offices in Bismarck and Grand Forks.

Tornado watch/warning drills and siren activation drills will be held on Wednesday, April 26th.

Please visit the NWS Forecast Office Grand Forks, North Dakota Severe Weather Awareness Week 2017 page for more information including links to Severe Weather Awareness Week statements.

Check out the YouTube video "Flood Outlook" briefing at... https://t.co/rTMuNKkzmF #ndwx #mnwx

— NWS Grand Forks (@NWSGrandForks) March 2, 2017

The NWS Forecast Office Grand Forks, ND will be participating in 2016 SKYWARN™ Recognition Day, using the call-sign N0GF, from 0000Z to 2400Z on Saturday, December 3rd.

Contacts may be made on:

• HF: 80, 40, 20, 15, & 10m
• VHF: 6 & 2m (repeater contacts are permitted)
• UHF: 70cm
• EchoLink: N0GF node

Using these modes:

• SSB
• CW
• PSK
• FM
• EchoLink

The suggested exchange is: call sign, signal report, QTH, and a one or two word description of the weather occurring at your site (“sunny”, “partly cloudy”, “windy”, etc.). [ 1 ]

Please QSL to:

About SKYWARN Recognition Day

SKYWARN™ Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that SKYWARN volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property. Amateur radio operators comprise a large percentage of the SKYWARN volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency management if normal communications become inoperative. During the SKYWARN Special Event operators will visit NWS offices and contact other radio operators across the world. [ 2 ]

Event certificates will be electronic and printable after the conclusion of SKYWARN Recognition Day.

Photos and event statistics from previous SKYWARN Recognition Days are available on the NWS SkyWarn Recognition Day page

Please visit the ARRL SKYWARN Recognition Day page for operating instructions and links to SKYWARN Recognition Day resources.

Footnotes

[ 1 ] “SKYWARN Recognition Day”, ARRL The national association for Amateur Radio, accessed November 26 2016, http://www.arrl.org/skywarn-recognition-day.

[ 2 ] “SKYWARN Recognition Day”, National Weather Service, accessed November 15 2016, http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio/.