When significant, or severe weather occurs anywhere within the Phoenix County Warning Area, the Weather Service turns to the Skywarn_TM Spotter Network to obtain timely and accurate reports. This network is comprised of individuals or groups, generally associated with the following: 1) Emergency Service Organizations (Fire, Police, etc), 2) Volunteer Organizations (HAM Radio, Citizens' Band Radio, etc), 3) Individual Citizens, and 4) Cooperative Observers.

The Arizona Skywarn^TM Net (ASN) welcomes trained spotters to check into our weekly nets on these repeaters:

147.200 mhz  --  each Tuesday at 8 pm

442.800 mhz  --  each Wednesday at 8 pm

NWS personnel periodically conduct free Skywarn spotter training classes at locations around the Phoenix County Warning Area that teach people how to properly identify and report significant weather phenomena and contribute to public safety. Even with sophisticated technology like radar and satellites, we still need ground truth information from trained weather spotters throughout the year. The training classes will prepare the volunteer spotter to identify the development stages of severe thunderstorms, as well as downbursts, desert flash flooding, and tornadoes. The observed information is relayed to the NWS via telephone or amateur radio. The NWS uses the information in severe weather warnings and statements, that ultimately save lives and protect property. In addition, you will learn about all of the services available from the National Weather Service. Classes will be conducted at the times and locations shown below. Reservations are not required unless otherwise noted.

Want to receive notifications about upcoming spotter classes? Then sign up the training announcements at: http://groups.google.com/group/phoenix-skywarn-training-announcements. After signing up you will receive periodic e-mails announcing upcoming classes. This is a "one way" list and so the number of e-mails will be minimal.

If you have any questions, please contact Ken Waters at 602-275-0073 [option '5'] or by e-mail at the NWS Phoenix Forecast Office.

* - Completion of Basic Storm Spotter Class and Spotter Registration is required for any Advanced classes

When calling, spotters should tell the NWS briefly WHAT they saw or are seeing, WHERE they are or where they were when it was going on, WHEN it was occurring and WHAT is/was it doing. They should also include their name, location and their assigned spotter ID number.

The following criteria are what spotters should look for when phoning in their reports. They should always call the responsible Weather Service Office when any of the below are noted:

1. TORNADO (on the ground) or FUNNEL CLOUD (tail not touching the ground)

2. ROTATING WALL CLOUD

3. WIND (estimated or measured at 40 mph or more)

4. MICROBURST (visually identified)

5. RAINFALL (1/2 inch (.50) or more in 30 minutes)

6. FLOODING (of any kind)

7. DAMAGE and/or DEATHS and/or INJURIES due to the weather event

8. HAIL (Any size diameter)

9. VISIBILITY (less than 1/2 mile due to fog, dust, blowing snow or ash)

10. SNOWFALL (any amount).