Severe Weather Spotting & SKYWARN® Operations
Serving Southeastern Wisconsin Through Amateur Radio and Public Safety Communications
When severe weather threatens southeastern Wisconsin, amateur radio operators play an important role in helping provide timely and accurate information to the National Weather Service. Through the Milwaukee Repeater Club’s Severe Weather Net, trained spotters and amateur radio volunteers monitor developing weather conditions and relay real-time reports that help forecasters verify radar indications and issue life-saving warnings.
The Milwaukee Repeater Club is proud to support the SKYWARN® program, a nationwide network of trained weather spotters who serve as the nation’s eyes and ears during severe weather events. Our members provide ground-truth observations that help meteorologists make informed decisions when severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, damaging winds, and other hazardous weather impact our communities.
What Is SKYWARN®?
SKYWARN® is a volunteer weather spotting program established by the National Weather Service in partnership with amateur radio organizations, emergency management agencies, and public safety organizations throughout the country.
Today, hundreds of thousands of trained volunteers participate in the program, reporting severe weather conditions directly to National Weather Service offices. These reports help forecasters confirm what is actually happening on the ground—something that radar and satellite systems alone cannot always determine.
Since the program began in the 1970s, the combination of SKYWARN® reports, Doppler radar, satellite imagery, and computer modeling has greatly improved the accuracy and timeliness of severe weather warnings.
The Milwaukee Repeater Club’s Role
When severe weather develops across southeastern Wisconsin, members of the Milwaukee Repeater Club may activate a Severe Weather Net on the club repeater system.
Net participants provide real-time observations from across the region while Net Control operators coordinate reports and forward significant weather information to weather coordinators and the National Weather Service office in Sullivan, Wisconsin.
Reports commonly include:
- Tornado sightings
- Funnel clouds
- Damaging straight-line winds
- Large hail
- Flash flooding
- Heavy rainfall measurements
- Downed trees and power lines
- Lightning-related damage
- Winter storm impacts
- Other significant weather conditions
These reports provide critical “ground truth” that helps meteorologists assess storm severity and issue warnings that protect lives and property.
Why Amateur Radio Matters
Severe weather often affects cellular, internet, and commercial communication systems. Amateur radio provides a reliable and resilient communications resource capable of operating independently of commercial infrastructure.
During weather events, amateur radio operators can rapidly share observations from locations throughout the affected area, creating a valuable network of trained observers that extends far beyond what automated systems can provide.
This capability has made amateur radio an important partner of the National Weather Service for decades.
The First Line of Defense
SKYWARN® spotters are often the first people to observe severe weather before warning information reaches the public.
A confirmed report from a trained weather spotter can provide critical minutes of additional warning time for communities in the path of dangerous weather.
There can be no finer reward than knowing your efforts helped provide your family, friends, neighbors, and community with the precious gift of time—minutes that can save lives.
Training and Participation
The Milwaukee Repeater Club encourages all members interested in weather spotting to attend official National Weather Service SKYWARN® training sessions.
Whether you are an experienced spotter or simply interested in learning more about weather observation, severe weather communications, and public service, there is a place for you on the Severe Weather Net.
No matter your experience level, participation helps strengthen our ability to serve the community when severe weather strikes.
Public Service in Action
One of amateur radio’s greatest traditions is public service. The Milwaukee Repeater Club’s participation in SKYWARN® and severe weather operations demonstrates that commitment by helping provide timely, accurate weather information to forecasters and emergency managers.
Through training, teamwork, and dedication, our members help support the National Weather Service mission of protecting life and property throughout southeastern Wisconsin.
Join the Effort
Interested in weather spotting, emergency communications, or public service through amateur radio?
Join the Milwaukee Repeater Club and learn how amateur radio operators contribute to severe weather operations across southeastern Wisconsin.
Together, we help keep our communities informed, prepared, and safe when severe weather threatens.