The weather in southwest lower Michigan is highly variable.    Temperatures can swing dramatically from one day to the next and our proximity to Lake Michigan can alter weather coming across the lake either for the better or the worse for us.   Severe thunderstorms, tornados and flash flooding can occur at any time in the spring, summer or fall.   Our winters bring high winds, lake effect snows and ice storms in addition to bone chilling temperatures.   In support of the National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids many amateur radio operators in our area participate in the SKYWARN program.

SKYWARN spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards.  The main responsibility of a SKYWARN spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms. In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. These events threatened lives and property.

Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.

In order to participate in the SKYWARN program you must attend an NWS class of approximately two hours.   You will receive a SKYWARN spotter number and identification card showing your certification and date.   To maintain your certification you must attend a training class at least every other year. 

Useful weather links can be found on one of the following pages along with upcoming SKYWARN classes and SKYWARN net operational data for amateur radio nets.