Providing severe weather observation services to the National Weather Service
and the citizens of St. Louis County.
(updated 1/20/2008)
Check out the 2008 training schedule
Welcome to the St. Louis County SKYWARN/RACES website. The St. Louis County SKYWARN/RACES program is sponsored by the St. Louis County Police Department,Office of Emergency Management, and managed by Michael G. Redman, Communications Coordinator, who may be reached at 314-615-5362 or via email at MRedman@stlouisco.com . The Severe Weather Information Line is 314-615-7857, where information on upcoming training and other events/information is provided.
Nearly 1,200 trained weather observers make up the St. Louis County (Missouri) SKYWARN/RACES Weather Observation Program. They are young and old, from all walks of life, and from diverse backgrounds. Many are amateur radio operators. They have one thing in common...a desire to help their neighbors by reporting severe weather in a prompt and accurate manner. These reports are collected by the control operators at the County Emergency Operations Center and relayed to the forecasters at the National Weather Service for their study and action. Information is relayed over special "hot-line" telephone circuits to the Weather Service as well as other County departments/offices so that immediate response of emergency services can be provided if needed. These reports, supplemented by Doppler Radar and other forms of weather data, assist the National Weather Service at Weldon Spring in issuing timely and accurate severe weather warnings that may help save lives. The St. Louis County SKYWARN program is one of many services provided by the St. Louis County Police Department, Office of Emergency Management.
Even in these days of technological advances and Doppler radar, there is still a definite need for the extra "eyes and ears" of trained, qualified weather observers. There are no special qualifications other than a desire to help. Once trained, you do not have to go to any special locations or be "on duty" for any specific periods. Your "watch" begins when severe weather is in the area, whether at home, work, school, or in your car. Special training is required and provided by St. Louis County at no charge. Refresher training is recommended every other year.
St. Louis County offers several training courses designed to assist the weather observer in making proper observations and in correct reporting procedures.
Participants are taught when, how, and where to make their reports. The class is supplemented by literature and reporting information, and following the class, participants are issued "spotter numbers" and training certification. After contacting us at the SKYWARN information number, 314-615-7857, you will be placed on a mailing list for the training schedule. All training is supplied free of charge and most classes are offered more than once and in varying locations. You too can be a member of the St. Louis County SKYWARN.
Law enforcement officers and dispatchers attending St. Louis County SKYWARN Training will be awarded two hours of continuing education hours through the Missouri P.O.S.T. (Police Officer's Standards in Training) Program. The classes are P.O.S.T. certified as is the instructor, Michael G. Redman.
Most SKYWARN weather spotters report by telephone. Specific reporting instructions and numbers are provided in our training classes. While it is not required of a weather observer, a large number of our spotters report by two-way radio. Two-way radio users can report directly from their vehicles or portable handheld radios, if so equipped. Many of these radio users are amateur radio (HAM) operators.
The amateur radio component of the County SKYWARN Program is affiliated with the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). RACES means amateur radio operating and assisting in emergency situations under the auspices of local government, the St. Louis County Office of Emergency Management (view RACES regulations). Amateur operators, completing the weather observation training program, become registered in the RACES program and are also available for other emergency service functions as needed in St. Louis County. This portion of the County SKYWARN Program has been in operation since 1955, and has gained the recognition and support of many in the St. Louis metropolitan area that is proudly served.
Amateur radio operators in this program make their severe weather reports on the 146.340/.940 amateur radio repeater. If you have a scanner, listen to the network on 146.940 Mhz. The amateur station at the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) identifies on this channel as W0AAF for full RACES operation, or WB0AAF for most weather nets. During weather net operations, observers from other networks are invited to make severe weather reports through our network if they are traveling through our coverage area, or if their own area network is not in operation. If 146.940 is not operational, try 147.360, other backup frequencies are 146.970 or 146.910. Also monitored from the EOC are the 442.100 and 224.980 Mhz. repeaters, and 52.570 Mhz. simplex, as time permits.
When reporting on the amateur radio network, remember to follow the instructions of the net control operator if the net is in formal operation. Please limit your reports to severe weather only! You may hinder other emergency reports by reporting non-severe weather criteria. Reporting criteria includes: tornadoes, wall clouds, funnel clours, hail over 1/4 inch, winds over 35 mph, flash flooding, and measured rainfall of over one inch per hour.
Other radio-oriented components of the County SKYWARN Program include Bi-State Chapter of the American Red Cross, and selected area public safety radio frequencies.
Here are some startling tornado statistics (source, NWS):
- Tornadoes are most frequent in the Midwest.
- Tornadoes occur most often in the late afternoon or evening, and in the Spring. But they can occur at any time of the day and in any season.
- Wind speeds in a tornado may exceed 300 miles per hour.
- An average of 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year in the United States. About 1,300 tornadoes develop from these storms.
- Two of the three most devastating tornadoes to strike St. Louis did so in "off-season" periods.
TORNADO WATCH
Conditions are right for tornado development, but none have been sighted. A "watch" is usually issued for a six-hour period of time. No special action is required, but monitor for changing weather conditions. St. Louis County RACES/SKYWARN members should be especially alert, and monitor 146.940 Mhz. for weather updates.
TORNADO WARNING
SKYWARN spotters and/or Doppler radar have indicated a tornado or funnel cloud - take shelter immediately! Monitor 146.940 for status reports and an all-clear message.
AT HOME
Go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest level of the building. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
AT WORK OR SCHOOL
Follow the directions of your teachers and administrators. Go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from auditoriums and gymnasiums, as well as windows.
IN MOBILE HOMES
See shelter in a more substantial structure. If none is available, lie low in a ditch or other low-lying area.
IN SHOPPING MALLS
Take cover away from the center mall area and away from windows. Get under something sturdy. Do not try to escape in your car!
IF OUTDOORS OR IN AUTOMOBILES
Seek indoor shelter. If none is available, lie low in a nearby ditch, protecting your head.
At home, take a portable AM/FM radio, amateur radio, or scanner with you to your shelter area for updated information on the storm and to learn when it is "all clear." Also take a flashlight. Have periodic drills and pre-select your "safe place" before the warning is issued.
Take heed when weather watches are issued and when local radio, television, or weather radio broadcasters alert you to the possibility of severe weather. Along with local National Weather Service broadcasts on 162.550 Mhz., the St. Louis County Police rebroadcasts severe weather information for St. Louis County on 155.865 Mhz. and 154.725 Mhz. This system is tested on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. Tone activated receivers may be set to receive these broadcasts by decoding sequential tones of 1433.4 and 903.2 Hz.
It's a good idea to locate a safe area in your home before a tornado warning is issued; then all family members will know where to go in an emergency, without delay.
An excellent investment is a tone-activated weather alert radio. These small units, often with battery backup power, will alert you, much a like a pager, of local severe weather conditions. These radios are activated directly from the National Weather Service office, providing the most accurate and timely severe weather information available. These radios are available at most consumer electronic outlets and are generally priced at less than fifty dollars.
For those who would like to become amateur radio operators, classes are conducted each spring. These free-of-charge classes are 8-9 weeks in length, meeting one evening a week, and are followed by testing sessions. Knowledge of Morse Code is not required. The Gordon West "No-Code Technician Theory" book is used and is readily available. To pre-register contact Mike Redman.
Be sure to visit our displays at local hamfests and related safety shows!
Thanks are extended to the following for their support of the St. Louis County SKYWARN & R.A.C.E.S. Programs:
Our Thanks:
Gratitude is expressed to the following entities, organizations, and individuals whose contributions to the SKYWARN and R.A.C.E.S. Programs are significant:
Our dedicated RACES/ SKYWARN Volunteer Observers
Our faithful RACES / SKYWARN Lead Operators
St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation
St. Louis County & Municipal Police Academy
St. Louis County Division of Personnel
Hazelwood School District
Rockwood School District
St. Louis Community College
City of Crestwood
Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
Bellefontaine United Methodist Church
St. Louis Area Chapter, American Red Cross
St. Louis Electronics
St. Louis-Suburban Amateur Radio Club
Monsanto Amateur Radio Association
Roger Volk
Steve Welton
Brad Leonard
Ron Francois
James P. Kramper
National Weather Service
Storm Prediction Center
Atlas Media Productions/The Weather Channel
Operation Weather Survival
Safety Council of Greater St. Louis
Greater St. Louis Federal Safety & Health Council
PageAlert - St. Louis Emergency Notification Network
SKYWARN Spotters Manual - excellent!
Index to SKYWARN Pages on The Internet
National Weather Service - St. Louis
IWIN - Interactive Weather Information Network
Weather Spotting Frequency List
[StormNow! Customized weather information via email.jp, fax, PCS, or pager.] Weatherimages - A great website with *everything* about weather!
The Personal Radio Steering Group (GMRS)
