SkyWARN™ a nationwide network of volunteer weather spotters who are trained by and report to their local National Weather Service (NWS).  Spotters are asked to report any occurrence of significant or severe weather to their SkyWARN™ Radio Net Controller, the local Ham SkyWARN™Emergency Coordinator, or directly to their local National Weather Service office. 

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SKYWARN™ spotter ham radio nets are usually activated whenever there is a threat of severe weather. 

Any ham can activate a Spotter Reporting Net at their discretion.

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There are four ways that a ham radio operator can report their severe weather observations to the local NWS Buffalo Office:

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1. Call for the ham station at the NWS Buffalo Office directly.  The NWS Ham Station call sign is WX2BUF.  The station is "sometimes" manned by ham volunteers to monitor the local ham frequencies under a severe weather warning. This station is not always active, especially during a pandemic, so have a back-up plan.

2. Call for the local Ham SkyWARN™ Emergency Coordinator directly on the air.  The local WNY SkyWARN™ Ham Emergency Coordinators can be found on the Frequency page.

3. Call your report directly to the NWS Buffalo Office on your cell phone (if cell service is still available).  The local NWS Office phone number is: 1-800-462-7751  (Unlisted, severe weather reports only).  Store this number on your cell phone contacts list.

4. If an internet connection is available, connect with:

   • email:  bufstorm.report@noaa.gov

   • Facebook: Search for National Weather Service Buffalo

   • Twitter: @NWSBuffalo 

 

Use your SkyWARN Observers ID No. when reporting, if you have one.

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Remember, ... if you're in a mobile, please make sure that you're parked in a safe location and NOT driving before you report your weather observation.

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The NWS Buffalo Office holds Spring & Fall SkyWARN™ on-line classes. 

See the NWS Buffalo SkyWARN™ Page for more informaton:    https://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn

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