Weather Net

Given the serious nature of our task, we insist that proper radio procedures be followed. This helps us collect the information needed by the NWS and relay it to them in a timely fashion.

Check-Ins

During severe weather, check-ins to the net are necessary. If you have something to report, simply follow the procedure below.
Only if the situation allows and the NCS feels he or she can take a few
check-ins they will ask for them. Please give your call sign and location only.

Reporting Procedures

Stations with information to report will request recognition from the net control operator (NCS) by stating your call
sign and location. (Example: KB8VBR, Parma) Calling stations will usually be recognized in order. Try to avoid transmitting at the same time another station is. Remember, what they are reporting may be as important or even more so than your report. The net frequency can be quite hectic during a severe weather episode.

Simplicity and Clarity

Please try to make reports as brief and concise as possible. We all like to rag chew at times, but during a weather net, air time is gold! A proper report sequence should go like this:
Spotter: kd8fts, Parma
NCS: kd8fts, go ahead
Spotter: kd8fts reporting 50 mile per hour sustained winds, measured, in Parma at: (the closest MAJOR intersection to your location).ex: State and Snow
NCS: kd8fts, we've got it. Thanks.
Elapsed time - about 12 seconds. If we need more detail, we'll ask.

Have Patience!

The net control operator's position is hectic. We're listening to at least two or more radios. Add someone talking to us in person or on the phone. If we ask you to repeat your call sign and traffic, understand that we want to make sure we get it right. Also, give us a few seconds to answer when you call.

Practice Nets

Practice nets are conducted  every  Wednesday at 8:00 pm local time.

Please see the net schedule above!

Practice nets are much less formal than activations. Check-ins are taken first. Then any announcements are read. Just before the net closes there is an opportunity for questions and answers and discussion.

The Cuyahoga County Skywarn requests that area spotters use these criteria during severe weather nets.

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1. Tornados. Location and direction of movement.

 2. Funnel Clouds. Location and direction of movement.

 3. Wall Clouds. Location and direction of movement.

 4. Winds in excess of 50 miles per hour. Measured or Estimated? 

 5. Hail dime size or larger. Size. The duration of the hail if possible. 

 6. Flooding in progress. Location. In road, or on land? Approximate depth in inches?

 7. Storm Damage. Location. What element of the storm caused the damage?

7a. If trees are damage, was the tree healthy or diseased, diameter of broken area; tree snapped, twisted, or uprooted; how many trees?

7b. If building damage, what was the extent of damage? Are there any injuries?

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Measured winds, hail, and rainfall are much preferred to estimated. Estimating accurately can be difficult during severe weather.

We ask that reports be confined to these criteria. Other reports tie up the net frequency and really do not provide necessary information. Please do not report anything you have not seen personally.

If it is on the Internet, TV, or radar, the National Weather Service, most likely, already knows about it.

Reports such as "It's getting cloudy here" or "There is a lot of lightning" or "The Sun is back out" are not valid reports.

Occasionally, we will ask for reports that differ from the above criteria. When this occurs, it is OK to report what we request. Such special information requests are usually from the NWS to coordinate with their radar and other information they may have.

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