SKYWARN™ Recognition Day

SKYWARN™ Recognition Day is observed on the first Saturday of December. In 2025, it falls on December 6. This annual observance honors the contributions of volunteer storm spotters who provide critical severe weather data to the National Weather Service (NWS), helping to keep their communities safe.

History of SKYWARN™ Recognition Day

The National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) established SKYWARN™ Recognition Day in 1999. The initiative was created to acknowledge the vital role that amateur radio operators and other volunteer spotters play in the severe weather warning process. Before the advent of modern radar and advanced communication networks, and even today during infrastructure failures, these volunteers have served as the “eyes and ears” of meteorologists in the field.

The partnership highlights a long-standing relationship between the NWS and the amateur radio community. Since its inception, the day has served as a way to formalize the appreciation for the thousands of hours volunteers donate. It marks the end of the Atlantic hurricane season and the transition into winter weather monitoring, serving as a timely reminder of the year-round necessity for accurate, ground-level weather reporting.

Why is SKYWARN™ Recognition Day Important?

This day underscores the irreplaceable value of human observation in an era of high-tech forecasting. While Doppler radar and satellite imagery are powerful tools, they cannot see what is happening on the ground in real-time with perfect accuracy, such as the specific location of a tornado touchdown or the exact depth of flash flooding. SKYWARN™ volunteers fill this gap by confirming radar signatures with visual reports, which allows meteorologists to issue warnings with greater confidence and precision.

Furthermore, the observance fosters a sense of unity and preparedness within the community. It connects public service professionals with enthusiastic volunteers, strengthening the communication networks that are essential during disasters. By celebrating these individuals, the event encourages new volunteers to join the ranks and get trained, ensuring that the network of safety remains robust for future severe weather events.

• Real-time reports save lives
• Radar data needs visual confirmation
• Volunteers provide backup communication
• Community preparedness is strengthened
• Amateur radio remains a reliable resource

How to Observe SKYWARN™ Recognition Day

Participating in this day typically involves connecting with the amateur radio community and acknowledging their service. For licensed ham radio operators, the day is often celebrated by making radio contacts with other stations, and occasionally, National Weather Service offices will operate special event stations to exchange weather reports and greetings. It is a time for operators to test their equipment, refine their emergency communication skills, and demonstrate their readiness to assist during actual severe weather.

For those who are not radio operators, observing the day can be as simple as learning more about severe weather safety or thanking a local volunteer. Many people use this opportunity to sign up for official SKYWARN™ spotter training classes, which are free and open to the public. These sessions teach citizens how to identify storm features and report them safely, expanding the network of informed observers across the country.

• Register for a spotter training class
• Thank a local volunteer radio operator
• Listen to amateur radio frequencies
• Learn about severe weather safety features
• Monitor weather reports for your area

SKYWARN™ Recognition Day Dates