The SKYWARN
program was formed in the early 1970's after major tornado outbreaks ravaged many areas.
Each NWS Forecast Office runs its own SKYWARN program. In New Hampshire, Cheshire and
Hillsborough Counties are in the jurisdiction of the Taunton Forecast Office in Taunton, MA.
The balance of the New Hampshire Counties are served by the Gray Forecast Office in Gray, ME. To become an official NWS Skywarn spotter you need to attend a training session that
includes instruction on accurately identifying and reporting severe weather events.
It is critical that each weather spotter is able to accurately identify
specific severe weather signatures. Criteria and procedures for reporting hail, wind, and
other damage to the NWS is also discussed. SKYWARN volunteers also help the NWS by
reporting on winter weather, flash flooding, coastal flooding, etc., according to
established criteria. At the training sessions, weather spotters are asked to fill out a
questionnaire which details hours of availability, access to rivers and streams, and the
type of weather equipment owned by the spotter (if applicable). Training sessions are held In New Hampshire by both the Taunton and Gray Forecast
Offices, typically in the late spring and early summer months. To keep informed of the
latest training dates and locations you can contact the NH-ARES Skywarn ASEC or the Skywarn coordinator
at either NWS office, or listen for announcements on NOAA Weather Radio. Skywarn Operations - In New Hampshire, Amateur Radio Skywarn training and operations are coordinated
by the New Hampshire Amateur Radio Emergency Service (NH-ARES). The responsible person is the Assistant Section
Emergency Coordinator for Skywarn (ASEC-Skywarn).Activation and operations are described in the NH-ARES Emergency
Communications Plan. Refer in particular to the Skywarn and Tactical Reporting attachments. View the Gray, ME Skywarn Operations
Guide (PDF format, right click to download) Sample Skywarn Operator Log
(PDF format,
right click to download) 
SKYWARN is the National Weather Service (NWS)
nationwide program of trained volunteer severe weather spotters. SKYWARN volunteers
support their local community and government by providing the NWS with timely and accurate
severe weather reports. These reports, when integrated with NWS Doppler Radar signatures
and other data, can be critical in the issuance of severe weather warnings. This helps to
save lives and protect property, which is the main mission of the NWS.
