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The National Weather Service (NWS), in cooperation with the Amateur Radio Relay League, sponsored Skywarn™ Recognition Day from 6 pm CST on December 2nd to 6 pm CST on December 3rd, 2022. The purpose of the event was to recognize the vital public service contribution that amateur radio operators make during NWS severe weather warning operations.
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| In the video: National Weather Service Director Ken Graham expresses his excitement about Skywarn™ Recognition Day. |
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In past years, the event was held more often than not at the NWS office in North Little Rock (Pulaski County). A special radio call sign...WX5LZK...was assigned to the HAMs, and they attempted to reach as many other weather offices as possible and other participating contacts around the world. Weather conditions (including sky condition and temperature) were documented for each contact.
Due to restrictions associated with COVID-19 in recent years, the rules changed. HAMs could not assemble at the usual location, and had to reach out from remote locations (such as their homes).
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| In the picture: Spotters in Arkansas and surrounding states during Skywarn™ Recognition Day, 2022 (plotted on a map as of 1000 am CST on 12/03/2022). |
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COVID-19 restrictions or not, it is important for us to thank the HAMs for their dedication. What they do is a passion, and give their time and use of their equipment as a public service. If you're not familiar with what they do exactly, keep reading.
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| In the picture: Skywarn™ Recognition Day is an opportunity to give thanks to HAM radio operators. |
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In actual emergencies, the HAMs are often called upon for their radio skills. For example, during severe weather outbreaks, HAMs operate a base station at the NWS to gather reports of severe weather across Arkansas. Watches, warnings, and statements are broadcast from the base station to HAMs around the state.
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| In the picture: HAM radio operators were busy at work communicating with the outside world for Skywarn™ Recognition Day during the evening of 12/06/2019. |
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In cases of widespread communications outages, the HAMs can also serve as a vital link when normal communication circuits are out of service.
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Such outages often occur following large scale episodes such as ice storms, hurricanes, and when one or more destructive tornadoes are spawned. In such situations, HAMs can provide valuable information to the NWS that would otherwise not be available.
During the second most active hurricane season in 2005 (storms such as Katrina and Rita), HAMs supplied such services to NWS offices adjacent to the Gulf Coast.
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For more about Skywarn™, visit our Skywarn™ page by clicking here.
For more information concerning Skywarn™ Recognition Day...visit the official event homepage by clicking here.
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