SKYWARN


SEMNARC / Fillmore County SKYWARN Program

Fillmore ARES oversees the Fillmore County Skywarn Program. Fillmore ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) Jim Miller-KD0ORR  is the Fillmore Skywarn coordinator. It is not necessary to be an ARES member to participate in Skywarn. Any amateur radio operator that receives Skywarn training can participate in Skywarn activations to serve and protect our communities. Fillmore County Skywarn is in need of more spotters. For more information contact Jim Miller at KD0ORR@arrl.net.  

Skywarn Severe Weather Spotting

​ Skywarn spotters should keep safety in mind when tracking severe weather and always leave an escape route. Never obstruct traffic, park only where it is safe, be visible, and use vehicle hazard lights or other warning lights when parked. Use Skywarn signs to identify vehicles and do not park on private property. Skywarn spotters are required to have attended one National Weather Service (NWS) training class, sponsored and coordinated by the Fillmore County Emergency Management Office, at least once every two years. All Skywarn mobile spotters must be 18 years of age or older, have a valid drivers license and vehicle insurance coverage.

A Skywarn weather net is activated when a potential for severe weather is determined by the National Weather Service (NWS) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The W0VGW 147.015 (PL110.9 Hz) repeater, located in Wykoff, MN is used for Skywarn nets. A Skywarn net may be operated from any Skywarn trained NCS location or the Spring Valley EOC. Mobile radios must be operated on “high power” during Skywarn activations.. If you live in Spring Valley or Wykoff and only have an HT let the NCS know this. They will station you near the city limits to storm spot. When net control asks for spotters to check into a Skywarn net give your CALL SIGN, your NAME, your CURRENT LOCATION.

SKYWARN TRAINING 2022

La Crosse Weather schedule for 2022 SKYWARN storm spotter training is all set.  In addition to several in-person classes this spring, we will offer virtual training as well.

There are also several on-line storm spotter training modules and reference materials available:

Have questions about SKYWARN or becoming a spotter?  Click here for our SKYWARN FAQ page.  All training is free and usually lasts around 2 hours.

Main NWS La Crosse contact for spotter training is Mike Kurz.

Last Updated: 3/8/22


DateTimeCountyCityLocation
March 107:00 p.m.ClaytonGarnavillo, IAGarnavillo Fire Dept.
206 W Centre St, Garnavillo, IA 52049
March 146:30 p.m.ALLALLVIRTUAL – via Webinar
(Register Link)
March 226:30 p.m.ChickasawNew Hampton, IAChickasaw County Rescue Squad
260 E Prospect Ave, New Hampton, IA 50659
March 286:30 p.m.WabashaLake City, MNLake City Public Safety Building
601 N 10th St, Lake City, MN 55041
March 296:30 p.m.FayetteHawkeye, IAHawkeye Fire Dept.
113 W Main St, Hawkeye, IA 52147
March 306:30 p.m.ALLALLVIRTUAL – via Webinar
(Register Link)
April 52:00 p.m.ALLALLVIRTUAL – via Webinar
(Register Link)
April 76:30 p.m.WinneshiekDecorah, IADecorah Fire Dept.
400 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101
April 116:30 p.m.VernonViroqua, WIViroqua Church of Christ
825 Nelson Pkwy, Viroqua, WI 54665
April 126:30 p.m.MonroeSparta/Angelo, WIWestern TC / Public Safety Training Facility
11177 County Rd A, Sparta, WI 54656
April 136:30 p.m.OlmstedRochester, MNEmpire Event Center
1517 16th St SW, Rochester, MN 55902
April 186:30 p.m.GrantLancaster, WILancaster High School – Hillery Auditorium
806 E Elm St, Lancaster, WI 53813
April 196:30 p.m.ALLALLVIRTUAL – via Webinar
(Register Link)
April 256:30 p.m.ClarkOwen/Curtiss, WICurtiss Fire Station
100 Matthias St, Curtiss, WI 54422
April 276:30 p.m.WinonaWinona, MNWinona County Historical Society
160 Johnson St, Winona, MN 55987
April 286:30 p.m.MitchellOsage, IAOsage Public Safety Center (upstairs)
432 Main St, Osage, IA 50461