ABC 33/40 Skywatchers
The ABC 33/40 Pinpoint Doppler Radar is an invaluable tool; providing our team of meteorologists storm data in real time, including velocity and specific storm structure information that helps to identify tornadoes and other areas of severe weather. But, all radar beams go in a straight line, and the beam can be several thousand feet off the ground due to the curvature of the earth. For this reason, obtaining “ground truth” is crucial in the warning process.
For this reason, we are in the process of forming a large team of “Skywatchers”, who report weather conditions to the ABC 33/40 Weather Center using instant message technology. Our team of Skywatchers also send us digital pictures and video of weather for use on ABC 33/40 News and our web site.
We have over 600 members of the team now, and are always looking for more. We need people who:
*Have taken at least the basic SKYWARN class, or attended one of the ABC 33/40 Storm Alert XTREME sessions we offer in the fall each year (or have a clear understanding of thunderstorm structure)
*Have a digital camera, digital video equipment, or both
*Good Internet connectivity for sending images and video to us, and for instant message communications
*Love weather and want to learn more
*Can work in a controlled instant message environment with our other team members
*Are 16 years of age or older
We especially need Skywatchers from rural counties where there are no “official” observations.
Interested in joining the team? Send me an e-mail message:
Tell me a little about yourself and we will be in touch with additional information!
Look for reports and images from our team of Skywatchers on ABC 33/40 News, and on our blog!
James Spann, CBM
Lead Meteorologist
ABC 33/40
November 1st, 2006 at 6:00 am
[...] ABC 33/40 SKYWATCHERS? Interested in being a severe weather spotter for our weather team? Check out our Skywatcher program. This team reports back to in real time during active weather using Instant Message technology. And, if you need some training, our Storm Alert XTREME is coming up November 11 at the BJCC. We only offer this training once a year, so make plans to join us! [...]
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:49 am
[...] SKYWATCHERS: Want to join our team of Skywatchers that report back to us in real time using instant message technology? Check out this site, and plan on attending Storm Alert XTREME at the BJCC on November 11! [...]
November 7th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
[...] To join our Skywatcher network, we do ask that you have some SKYWARN training so we won’t have to worry about the accuracy of the reports. If you want to join the team, or simply learn how to spot severe weather, you need to be at the BJCC this Saturday for our annual Storm Alert XTREME event. We hold this special training only once per year, so this is a golden opportunity to learn more about severe weather and our Skywatcher program. We begin at 9:30 Saturday morning at the BJCC; there is no cost and you even get free admission to the 2007 Alabama International Auto Show which also is going on this weekend at the BJCC. Even if you have received SKYWARN training in the past, this will be a great refresher course with our own Brian Peters, who has trained over 6,000 Alabama SKYWARN spotters over the years. Get the full schedule and details on Storm Alert XTREME here. See you Saturday! [...]
November 28th, 2006 at 6:32 am
[...] SKYWATCHERS: We are always looking for more members of the ABC 33/40 Skywatcher team; they report back to us in real time during active weather like severe thunderstorm and winter storm events; we use instant message technology for the communication which works wonderfully. Read more about the program here. [...]
December 9th, 2006 at 7:03 am
It is Thirteen Degrees in the Center West Community near Delta, Alabama in Nortyh West Randolph County.
Jim Young, WB4UKY
February 2nd, 2007 at 7:35 am
Today is Feb. 2, 2007 and the time is 7:20am and it is snowing hard in Lynn Alabama in southern Winston County. The snow is not sticking but is coming down
February 24th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
i have already takeing your skywarn training last year because i love the weather i want to learn all that i can about the weather
March 1st, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Tell me what the forecast is for Morris Alabama which is at I 65 North at the Jefferson county Blount county line close to Warrior alabama. It is now 12:20 P M on March 1st and we have a bout sixty employees at our company and the question is do we need to send them home or put them in the safe room.
Thanks
Bob Peters
July 15th, 2007 at 6:40 am
Noctilucent clouds.
Noctilucent clouds are a relatively new phenomenon I am told. Noctilucent means night shining, Noctilucent clouds shine because they are very high and are illuminated by late evening or early morning light, the first or last rays of twilight. They are noted for their light blue color. Noctilucent clouds are now being studied by astronauts on the International Space Station. for more information visit the following link: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/19feb_nlc.htm
This site has some really neat pictures of Noctilucent Clouds: http://spaceweather3.com/nlcs/gallery2006_page1.htm
Ed
December 24th, 2007 at 9:07 am
This Morning on “Our Hill” in reece City the outdoor temp at 6:00am
was a cool 22 degrees.
January 10th, 2008 at 6:54 am
[...] large team of Skywatchers that are with us via an Instant Message conference online in real time, go here to read more about the program. We are especially interested in those of you who live in rural areas, where reports are hard to [...]
January 10th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I would like to become a Skywatcher
January 10th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I would like to become a Skywatcher also
January 16th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Can not find the Alabama’s cities webcams to see current live views. Any help here? Thank you!
January 18th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Greg,
See if this helps
http://cfc.abc3340.com/skycam/
January 19th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I live in Houston, Texas and this storm out in the Gulf gave us allot more rain than was published. Its been about a inch a hour all day yesterday Lightened up about 7 pm and then later was raining (Moderate) now its windy and cold GOOD LUCK over in ALABAMA would have loved to see some snow. Snow last night was in NE Texas and Arkansas.
Winds here at my home is about 15-20 MPH at 7:04 Am I am also a ham radio operator on HF and have been listening to the hams talking about snow in the Central and NE part of the USA.
THANKS 33/40 Love the live stream keep up the great work.
Mark
January 19th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Ice melts and water freezes at 32deg. The difference is the latent heat of fusion, not measurable with a thermometer.
http://www.physchem.co.za/Heat/Latent.htm#Note
This site explains it.
We always turn to you guys for the latest accurate information. I was an airline pilot for 30+ years and lived with weather every day.
Thanks, keep up the good work
January 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
light snow in concord
January 25th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
really enjoy the whole 33/40 weather team and i’am interested in being a sky watcher .I live in walker county in the farmstead community and rely on the team for coverage of my weather.As an outdoor person keeping good eye on weather is very important’always have tv,radio,internet tuned in for the latest after all i think ALABAMA has the craziest weather.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
starting to rain in farmstead
January 25th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
reporting sleet about 7:00 pm in cullman county
June 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
i was watching the news to day and just nwant to let ya we live 3 1/2 mi from oneonta north of city limit,on hoods cross rd off 132 before taits gap and yesterday we got 2 1/2 inches of rain.just thought ya want to know.we watch ya all the time,
December 9th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Strong winds approximately 25 gusting to 35, heavy rain, pea size hail, severe lightning in Hackleburg at 10:18 pm
January 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
Is the basic Skywarn class available online or is it only a live, in person class?
February 17th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Will we have bad weather in Winfield,AL on WED. 02-18-09
February 26th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
We are having high winds in Brilliant,Al.Some trees down on the
local hwys..
February 27th, 2009 at 9:28 am
1.5 inches of rain at Winfield Fire Dept.
April 11th, 2009 at 1:21 am
I love the weather so so much.I am the eyes and ears of Cullman.(LOL).I have friends and family that bring me cakes and cookies when storms are coming.They know I get so excited.It’s kind of funny.Can’t wait to learn more in November.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
My metal roof was blown off my house here in Haleyville in Marion County on county highway 114.