Travis County ARES

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SKYWARN Net Plan

Our Goals

  • Have a network or trained weather spotters in place to report severe weather
  • Activate the WX net when needed
  • Coordinate reports from spotters in accordance with the Skywarn manual
  • Encourage accurate reporting and limit low priority traffic when necessary
  • Relay accurate and coordinated reports to the NWS and the public through the media

TCARES SKYWARN Team and Duties

  • Base Stations
    • Report weather conditions at their location
  • Mobile Stations
    • We are not storm chasers, but some stations may volunteer to operate at a fixed mobile location when a portion of Travis County is not covered by checked in base stations.
  • Net Control
    • Opens the net on 146.940 (107.2 tone)
    • Communicate the following
      • Back-up frequencies 147.360 and 146.58 simplex
      • Read the Skywarn Net Script
      • WX reports/alerts from NWS, EOC, or other Skywarn Nets
      • Periodic updates on radar information and projected times on Travis County impact
      • Net Activation Level and/or changes to the same (see activation)
    • Direct and record Check-ins (HT / Mobile / Base status, and location of active spotters
    • Log each report by a participating station
    • Swap roles with Back-up Net Control each hour or as needed
    • Completing the After Action Report
  • Backup Net Control
    • Assist Net Control with recording Check-ins and check-outs
    • Assist in logging reports from reporting stations
    • Swap roles with Net Control each hour or as needed
  • Alternative Net Control (when Level Three activation required)
    • Operate as NCS on Simplex (or other channel as needed)
  • NWS Liaison
    • Coordinate and report weather reports to the NWS according to Skywarn guidelines:
      • If NWS is on frequency, ensure they copied the report
      • If not on frequency, via the NWS restricted telephone number (or Secure Chat)
      • If telephone / chat contact not possible, via the Austin/San Antonio NWS website
  • CTECC Liaison
    • Share reports between the Net and the EOC
  • TV Station Liaisons
    • Share Net reports with the media for dissemination to the public
  • Adjoining County Net Liaisons
    • Share reports between the nets
  • Volunteer/Training Coordinator
    • Keeping a roster of volunteers, training status, and base location
    • Recruiting new volunteers
    • Providing information sharing and basic training on an alternative frequency during a Net for participants unfamiliar with protocol or seeking membership

Activation

The SKYWARN net will be activated if any of the following occur

  • At the request from the NWS
  • NOAA weather radio broadcasts the activation of the spotter network
  • The county is placed under Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, or Tornado Warning
  • CTECC is activated for weather related events
  • As directed by the TCARES Emergency coordinator
  • All registered stations will be notified by email or text message when the SKYWARN net is activated

Net Activation Level

Level One

  • A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect, but no severe weather is occurring in the area (warnings are too late to organize a WX net)
  • Operates in Informal mode until Net Control announces move to Level Two
  • Net Control is established and may take check-ins
  • Record geographical position of active participants
  • Record HT/mobile/base station operation
  • Establish the following positions
    • Back-up Net Control
    • NWS Liaison
    • Net Control Operator for Alternative Net, if needed (see Level 3)

Level Two

  • A Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado warning has been issued
  • Priority is placed on taking and reporting weather report to NWS
  • Check-ins are now secondary and only taken as time allows
  • Operate in Formal mode and reports limited to Skywarn severe weather guidelines:
    • Identification – Call sign and exact location (using highways or major roads)
    • Funnel Clouds/Tornadoes
      • Time of first sighting
      • Still visible
      • On the ground or aloft
      • Direction of movement
      • Damage or injuries
    • Flooding / Flash floods (Rains of 1″ or more per hour)
      • Rainfall total
      • Rainfall intensity
      • Length of heaviest rainfall
      • Flooding or low water crossings, underpasses, or overflowing banks
      • Evacuations or likely evacuations
    • High Winds (58 mph or more)
      • Time Gust front hit
      • Wind speed or Beaufort Scale by trained observer
      • Wind direction and duration of high wind
      • Damage
    • Hail (larger than 1″ or quarter size)
      • Size (use fruit as reference size)
      • Duration of hail storm
      • Damage

Level Three

  • A Tornado warning has been issued for Travis County, or an actual tornado has been spotted
  • Priority is placed on communicating these reports to NWS, CTECC, and media outlets
  • The alternative weather net is activated on the 147.360 repeater to handle Level 1 and level 2 traffic

Monitoring Other Skywarn/ARES Nets simultaneously active

Williamson County

  • 146.640 (PL162.2) primary
  • 145.370 (PL114.8) backup

Bastrop County (Linked)

  • Bastdrop 443.175 (PL114.8)
  • Elgin 442.800 (PL114.8)
  • Flag Hill 443.000 (114.8)

Burnet County

  • Burnet 145.020 (PL88.5)

Hays/Caldwell Counties

  • Wimberley 147.100 (PL141.3)
  • Hays / Caldwell 444.150 (PL114.8)

Saltgrass Link System

  • Austin 442.450 (PL114.8)