Introducing the NWS Gray SKYWARN Official Supporter Program

During our presentation for the Maine Virtual Hamfest last month, we mentioned the creation of a new program to encourage greater participation in SKYWARN. I’d like to personally invite your organization to consider becoming an Official Supporter of the NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team.

Due to the enormous size of the Weather Forecast Area that NWS Gray is responsible for, which includes most of western and southern Maine and the entire state of New Hampshire, the task of covering it for SKYWARN is challenging. The only way we can effectively cover all of it is to lean on the support of local nets spread out across the entire area. That’s where the Official Supporter program comes in.

Many hams are naturally weather enthusiasts and you may already know a few who are, but an interest in weather isn’t necessary to take part. When hams put their radio skills to use by volunteering as a SKYWARN radio operator, they practice one of the most important ways they can apply those communications skills. SKYWARN traffic occurs real time, during ongoing weather events, and forecasters use the information exchanged to create, update, and validate warnings, which can save lives.

Being part of the NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team is a meaningful way to experience the hobby while making a positive impact on our community.

As an Official Supporter, we recognize that your organization will embrace SKYWARN as a way to enhance the amateur radio experience, use it as a real-time training and preparedness tool to sharpen Emergency Communications skills, and to provide a vital service.

Thank you,

Tim Watson, KB1HNZ

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Here’s how you can help:

Criteria to earn Official Supporter status:

• Commit at least one (1) liaison to SKYWARN, and one (1) local Net Control operator (this can be the same person or different people within your organization.
• Activate local nets as needed or as requested by NWS throughout the year.
• Participate in regional drills and exercises throughout the year.
• Maintain a list of trained SKYWARN Spotter ham radio operators within your organization.
• Assist in hosting SKYWARN Spotter training in your area.
• Actively support and promote the SKYWARN program within your organization and community.

What you’ll receive:

• Guidance from NWS Gray SKYWARN leadership and support materials.
• Access to the SKYWARN net reporting form.
• Certificates and recognition for your team’s efforts throughout the year.
• Official SKYWARN swag.
• A special logo representing your team’s status as an Official NWS Gray SKYWARN Supporter.
• Your organization will be listed on the NWS Gray SKYWARN website and in future press releases as an Official Supporter.

Click here to learn more about the NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team.

SKYWARN Self-Activation 04/16/21

A Winter Storm Warning Remians in effect until 6 AM Saturday, for the following counties: Northern Oxford, Northern Franklin, Southern Oxford, Southern Franklin, Interior Cumberland Highlands, Southern Coos, Northern Grafton, Northern Carroll, Southern Grafton, Southern Carroll, Sullivan, Merrimack, Belknap, Cheshire, Western And Central Hillsborough.

Low pressure tracking near Cape Cod will allow precipitation to continue to spread across the region today. As cold air wraps into the system, rain will change to a heavy wet snow. The heaviest accumulations will occur in higher elevations, although even valley locations will likely see accumulating snowfall. The sticky, wet nature of the snow will stick most efficiently on trees and elevated surfaces. The weight of snow on trees will cause tree limbs to bend or break leading to power outages.

• WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches. Higher accumulations are expected in the higher elevations.
• WHERE…Portions of western Maine. Portions of central, northern, and southern New Hampshire.
• WHEN…Until 6 AM EDT Saturday.
• IMPACTS…Travel will be very difficult due to low visibility and snow covered roads. The weight of snow on trees may snap branches and lead to scattered power outages.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the storm system through early Saturday Morning. Amateur Radio call-up nets will be utilized as required during the storm event. This will be the last coordination message unless a significant change to the forecast occurs and time allows for an update as we shift into operations mode.

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. Please activate local nets as necessary.

As always, please monitor the Hazardous Weather Outlook for updates.

Below are links to the NWS Gray Hazardous Weather Outlook, Area Forecast Discussion, and Winter Storm Warning, and Winter Weather Advisory alerts:

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Area Forecast Discussion

Winter Storm Warning

Winter Weather Advisory

Be alert and stay safe.

73′

Tim Watson
KB1HNZ

Winter Storm Warning – 04/16/2021

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Gray ME
347 AM EDT Fri Apr 16 2021

...HEAVY WET SNOW EXPECTED...

.Low pressure tracking near Cape Cod will allow precipitation to
continue to spread across the region today. As cold air wraps into
the system, rain will change to a heavy wet snow. The heaviest
accumulations will occur in higher elevations, although
even valley locations will likely see accumulating snowfall. The
sticky, wet nature of the snow will stick most efficiently on trees
and elevated surfaces. The weight of snow on trees will cause tree
limbs to bend or break leading to power outages.

MEZ007-008-012-013-033-NHZ002>009-011-015-161600-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210417T1000Z/
Northern Oxford-Northern Franklin-Southern Oxford-Southern
Franklin-Interior Cumberland Highlands-Southern Coos-Northern
Grafton-Northern Carroll-Southern Grafton-Southern Carroll-
Sullivan-Merrimack-Belknap-Cheshire-Western And Central
Hillsborough-
Including the cities of Bridgton, Peterborough, Upton, Phillips,
Sugar Hill, Brookfield, Kingfield, Cornish, Milford, Jay, Avon,
Charlestown, Wakefield, Newport, Woodstock, New Sharon, Keene,
Goshen, Gilsum, Sullivan, Middle Dam, Andover, Ossipee, Milan,
Waterville Valley, Rangeley, Jackson, Wilton, Wilsons Mills,
Byron, Unity, Crawford Notch, Norway, Grantham, Wolfeboro,
Claremont, Berlin, Weare, Hooksett, Chatham, Locke Mills,
Oquossoc, Albany, North Conway, Davis, Mont Vernon, Holderness,
Amherst, York Pond, Dummer, Lancaster, Thornton, Bryant Pond,
Fryeburg, Moultonborough, Temple, Bethel, Littleton, Dunbarton,
Lincoln, Bridgewater, Roxbury, Meredith, Laconia, Marlow,
Canterbury, Tuftonboro, Lempster, Coburn Gore, New Vineyard,
Conway, Lebanon, Chesterville, Croydon, Concord, Bethlehem,
Harrison, Rumford, Sharon, Farmington, Lyme, Goffstown, Rumney,
Loudon, Jaffrey, Naples, Boscawen, Oxford, Milton, Hanover,
Newry, Hollis, Plymouth, Ashland, South Arm, Surry, Gilford, and
Ellsworth
347 AM EDT Fri Apr 16 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 10
  inches. Higher accumulations are expected in the higher elevations.

* WHERE...Portions of western Maine. Portions of central, northern,
  and southern New Hampshire.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM EDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult due to low visibility and
  snow covered roads. The weight of snow on trees may snap branches
  and lead to scattered power outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for
the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

Winter Storm Warning 04/15/2021

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Gray ME
611 AM EDT Thu Apr 15 2021

…HEAVY WET SNOW EXPECTED TONIGHT AND FRIDAY…

.Low pressure tracking near Cape Cod will spread precipitation into
New Hampshire and Maine today and tonight. As cold air wraps into
the system, rain will change to a heavy wet snow tonight and Friday.
The heaviest accumulations will occur in higher elevations, although
even valley locations will likely see accumulating snowfall. The
sticky, wet nature of the snow will stick most efficiently on trees
and elevated surfaces. The weight of snow on trees will cause tree
limbs to bend or break leading to power outages.

MEZ007-008-012-013-033-NHZ002>009-011-015-151815-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0005.210416T0200Z-210417T1000Z/
Northern Oxford-Northern Franklin-Southern Oxford-Southern
Franklin-Interior Cumberland Highlands-Southern Coos-Northern
Grafton-Northern Carroll-Southern Grafton-Southern Carroll-
Sullivan-Merrimack-Belknap-Cheshire-Western And Central
Hillsborough-
Including the cities of Bridgton, Peterborough, Upton, Phillips,
Sugar Hill, Brookfield, Kingfield, Cornish, Milford, Jay, Avon,
Charlestown, Wakefield, Newport, Woodstock, New Sharon, Keene,
Goshen, Gilsum, Sullivan, Middle Dam, Andover, Ossipee, Milan,
Waterville Valley, Rangeley, Jackson, Wilton, Wilsons Mills,
Byron, Unity, Crawford Notch, Norway, Grantham, Wolfeboro,
Claremont, Berlin, Weare, Hooksett, Chatham, Locke Mills,
Oquossoc, Albany, North Conway, Davis, Mont Vernon, Holderness,
Amherst, York Pond, Dummer, Lancaster, Thornton, Bryant Pond,
Fryeburg, Moultonborough, Temple, Bethel, Littleton, Dunbarton,
Lincoln, Bridgewater, Roxbury, Meredith, Laconia, Marlow,
Canterbury, Tuftonboro, Lempster, Coburn Gore, New Vineyard,
Conway, Lebanon, Chesterville, Croydon, Concord, Bethlehem,
Harrison, Rumford, Sharon, Farmington, Lyme, Goffstown, Rumney,
Loudon, Jaffrey, Naples, Boscawen, Oxford, Milton, Hanover,
Newry, Hollis, Plymouth, Ashland, South Arm, Surry, Gilford, and
Ellsworth
611 AM EDT Thu Apr 15 2021

…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
6 AM EDT SATURDAY…

• WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 10
  inches with higher amounts at higher elevations.
• WHERE…Portions of western Maine. Portions of central, northern,
  and southern New Hampshire.
• WHEN…From 10 PM this evening to 6 AM EDT Saturday.
• IMPACTS…Travel will be very difficult due to low visibility and
  snow covered roads. The weight of snow on trees may snap branches
  and lead to power outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for
the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

NWS Gray Announces Virtual SKYWARN Spotter Training

Help your National Weather Service by becoming a SKYWARN storm spotter! Storm spotters report large hail, damaging wind, tornadoes and flooding. Spotter training will teach you how to identify and report severe weather as well as how to maintain awareness, which will help keep you and your loved ones safe, and may even save the lives of others!

Where: Your Home

When: Monday, May 3rd, at 6:00 PM, Thursday, May 13th, at 6:00 PM, & Tuesday, May 18th, at 6:00 PM.

Cost: FREE to all those interested in weather!

Please visit: https://www.weather.gov/gyx/skywarn to register. You can also contact Donald Dumont: donald.dumont@noaa.gov for additional information on this training.