REPORTS AND NEWSLETTERS

2010 MEETING SCHEDULE   OCEC/RACES

MARCH 17, 2010

Present: Daniel Perruzzi: Robert Landgrebe: Mark, KC2JNI; Fred, KA2HPG; Ed, AF2N; Dave, AC2CM; Stephanie & Gary, KC2RMO; Terry, KB2VMB; Hugh Lewis; John, N2MKH; Karen & Don, W2VIV; Nellie & Brien, KA2AON; Judy, KC2SUM; Bob, WA2AFF; Rheta Jenks; Mark, WB2PKO; Henry, KC2SUL; Susan & Redd, AI2N; Tim, KC2SKG and John, K2QQY. 

Judy Levan, N2TEZ, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Buffalo office of the National Weather Service, conducted a Skywarn_™ Spotter program to train new storm spotters and to hone the skills of those that have had the training before.

The following is taken form the SKYWARN_™  MANUAL for 2010.

"Skywarn_™ is a national network of all-hazard weather spotters who provide real-time severe weather information to the National Weather Service forecasters.

Storm spotters are an integral part of the NWS warning decision-making process.  Their reports are invaluable in making accurate and timely forecasts and warnings.  While current day radars can indicate rotation in a thunderstorm, storm spotters can tell if it is a tornado and precisely where it is; while radar can indicate there is hail in a thunderstorm, spotters can tell how large it is.

In combination with radar, satellite and surface observations, spotter reports are critical for confirmation of weather forecasts and warnings."

The program consisted of the basic elements of severe weather and how they interact, resulting in the different kinds of weather that we experience throughout the year.  From clashing warm and cold fronts to overshooting tops, from gentle breezes to destructive downbursts and from dark and cloudy to sunshine topics were covered. 

The audience left with the tools to provide knowledgeable information to the Weather Service for determining those watches and warnings.

                   Class participants.

AF2N, KC2SKG, KC2JNI, K3QQY and N2MKH with their heads in the cloud (formations).

Mark, KC2JNI and I, K2QQY, visited the repeater site Saturday, the 20th, to check on the PL tone setting.  The encoder resides in the Quantar receiver and we have asked the Constellation tech to turn it on next time he is in the vicinity.  The rest of the area made it through the winter without obvious damage and looks like the heavy work next month will be minimal. 

73 John  K2QQY