SKYWARN is a volunteer program that assists the National Weather Service (NWS) in its mission to protect lives and property by gathering real-time weather information from trained observers. Amateur radio operators play a crucial role in SKYWARN by receiving training as storm spotters. This training enables them to recognize specific weather patterns, cloud formations, and severe weather conditions and report their observations directly to NWS offices.

• SKYWARN organizations are particularly popular in areas of the United States prone to severe weather, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and intense thunderstorms.
• Repeaters that support SKYWARN nets are tagged in RepeaterBook and can be easily searched for by users.
• Both amateur radio operators and scanner listeners can tune in to these repeaters to hear real-time, raw weather reports as they are transmitted from the field to the NWS.

The reports provided by SKYWARN storm spotters help the NWS:

• Issue more timely and accurate severe weather warnings.
• Provide critical information that complements radar and satellite data.
• Enhance public safety by improving situational awareness during severe weather events.

• National Weather Service SKYWARN Program
• Wikipedia