.svg)
Mark your calendars for an exciting day of appreciation and recognition! On December 2, we honor the dedicated individuals who help keep us safe from unpredictable weather on SKYWARN™ Recognition Day. This day, established in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), pays tribute to the thousands of SKYWARN™ weather spotters who volunteer their time and expertise to report severe weather to the National Weather Service. Their valuable contributions help save lives and property. So let's cheer, applaud, and join in welcoming a day of thunderous appreciation for these unsung heroes!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>SKYWARN™ Program Launch</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Weather Service (NWS) initiates the SKYWARN™ program to train volunteers to spot and report severe weather events.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise in Volunteers</div><div class='timeline-text'>By 1980, the SKYWARN™ program expands significantly, with thousands of volunteers offering their time and effort to safeguard their communities.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>ARRL Collaboration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) initiates collaboration with the NWS, leading to close ties between the amateur radio community and SKYWARN™ spotters.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First SKYWARN™ Recognition Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The NWS and ARRL establish SKYWARN™ Recognition Day to honor the contributions of storm spotters and weather enthusiasts.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>SKYWARN™ Online Training</div><div class='timeline-text'>NWS introduces online training for SKYWARN™ volunteers to enhance their meteorological knowledge and spotting skills.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>SKYWARN™ Reaches 400,000 Spotters</div><div class='timeline-text'>By 2017, the SKYWARN™ program has grown to involve over 400,000 trained spotters nationwide.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Attend a weather seminar</h3><p class='facts-text'>To appreciate the work of SKYWARN™ personnel, it's important to understand what they do. Participate in a weather seminar or presentation, online or in-person, to learn about storm spotting and severe weather safety.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Visit a weather station or observatory</h3><p class='facts-text'>Check if your local weather station or observatory has any planned activities for SKYWARN™ Recognition Day. This could include tours, presentations, or even a chance to meet with storm spotters.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Support the SKYWARN™ program</h3><p class='facts-text'>Consider making a donation to the National Weather Service or your local SKYWARN™ program. Your contribution will help support this volunteer-driven program and promote severe weather education and safety.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Share SKYWARN™ stories on social media</h3><p class='facts-text'>Help spread appreciation and awareness for SKYWARN™ Recognition Day by sharing stories or experiences of storm spotters on your social media platforms. Use related hashtags so that others can join the conversation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Learn more about meteorology</h3><p class='facts-text'>To truly appreciate the work of storm spotters, deepen your knowledge about meteorology. Explore resources like books, documentaries, and online courses to learn more about this fascinating field.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Recognition for Critical Contributions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>SKYWARN Recognition Day places a well-deserved spotlight on the contributions of storm spotters and weather enthusiasts. Their voluntary efforts in reporting severe weather conditions to the National Weather Service plays a crucial role in protecting lives and property. This day helps us appreciate their invaluable service and commitment towards public safety.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Increases Awareness on Weather Safety</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By actively participating in SKYWARN Recognition Day, we can gain a deeper understanding of severe weather safety. Attending weather seminars or visiting weather stations is not only informative but also emphasizes the importance of being prepared and staying safe during unpredictable weather conditions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages Community Participation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>SKYWARN Recognition Day not only pays tribute to weather spotters but also encourages community involvement. By making donations, attending events or sharing stories on social media, individuals can directly contribute to and engage with their local SKYWARN™ program. This promotes a sense of community and encourages others to participate in protecting and educating their community about severe weather.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>SKYWARN™ Spotters Act as a Second Line of Defence</h3><p class='facts-content'>Even with advances in technology, the human eye is often the first to spot severe weather patterns. SKYWARN™ spotters' on-ground observations provide detailed and real-time information that aids NWS in validating radar and satellite data.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>SKYWARN™ Recognition Day Stretches Beyond the U.S.</h3><p class='facts-content'>While it started in the U.S., SKYWARN™ Recognition Day events now happen worldwide, acknowledging the global network of volunteer weather observers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>SKYWARN™ Spotters are Trained</h3><p class='facts-content'>Becoming a spotter entails undergoing specific training sessions run by local NWS offices. This allows spotters to accurately identify and report significant weather phenomena.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There Are Special Recognition Awards for SKYWARN™ Contributors</h3><p class='facts-content'>National Weather Service offices across the country have instituted special awards to honor standout SKYWARN™ contributors, further highlighting the critical role they play in weather-monitoring efforts.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>SKYWARN™ Was Instrumental During Major Weather Disasters</h3><p class='facts-content'>During incidents such as the Murfreesboro Tornado in 2009 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017, SKYWARN™ spotters provided crucial information that assisted weather services and emergency responders in their jobs.</p></div></div>
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
