Please see the detailed information below from our Eastern PA Section Manager, George Miller W3GWM, with lots of great information in it for review.

I’ve already sent out an email with plans to activate our SKYWARN net here locally in Delaware County at/around 13:00 tomorrow Wednesday, December 16th, on the W3KG Boothwyn repeater.  I will also monitor the W3AEC Lima D-Star repeater as well, for those that have difficulty reaching W3KG for any reason.

Feel free to review SKYWARN web pages for reference information as needed:

https://www.delcoares.net/skywarn

Stay warm and safe, hope to hear everyone tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chris Kelleher
W3CTK

Reply to: w3gwm

Date: December 15, 2020

Subject : Pending Winter Storm

It looks like we are going to get our first significant Winter Storm in over two years tomorrow into Thursday. If nothing else, here's something for us to think about besides Covid-19.

In Eastern Pennsylvania, we supply Skywarn Reports to three National Weather Service Offices; Philadelphia/Mount Holly, State College and Binghamton.

We may have snowfall amounts of anywhere from an inch or two in the southern counties to 24 inches or more in some areas. I hope you are already Skywarn trained and are prepared to provide “ground truth" information for the NWS.

Please check with your counties ARES Emergency Coordinator or Skywarn Coordinator for information on frequencies, repeaters used for Skywarn and times for Skywarn Nets in your area. Inform your EC of your availability.

If it becomes necessary, we will collect observations on HF from all areas and report to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. If you would like to be notified in the event of activation of a Section-wide HF net, please send me an email with a good phone number and email address to contact you.

The EPAEPTN will be activated anytime due to a potential emergency. Just check 3918 KHz for net activity.

If our section encounters a significant impact from this system we will activate HF emergency communications by activating the Eastern Pennsylvania Emergency Phone and Traffic Net on 3918 KHz. Please follow established Skywarn Procedures and report your observations via your local VHF/UHF nets which will relay information to the appropriate National Weather Service office.

If possible, report observations to your county Skywarn Coordinator either by your local Skywarn Net or direct contact. As a Skywarn Trained Spotter you are also authorized to contact the appropriate office of the National Weather Service by phone.

Snow is forecast to begin during the late morning hours in the southern areas and during the afternoon as the storm moves north.

When snow begins in your area, report this to the NWS. Also remember to report snowfall in excess of 2-3 inches per hour, high winds, drifting snow, snow accumulation and icy roads.

Since it's been a few years since we have anticipated a strong winter storm, now is probably a good time to review reporting procedures and information on Winter Storm Responses for our area. I will include links to the National Weather Service Regional Offices for further information.

If you have not taken advantage of any of the Skywarn Training sessions, this is a good time to add this training to your resume.

On line Skywarn Training is available at:

https://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

When you complete this course, report to your local NWS Storm Forecaster that you have taken on line Skywarn Training.

Here are links for the regional NWS Offices:

Binghamton, NY - https://www.weather.gov/bgm

Philadelphia/Mount Holly, NJ - https://www.weather.gov/phi/

State College - https://www.weather.gov/ctp/

NWS Briefing for:

Southeastern Pennsylvania -

https://www.weather.gov/media/phi/current_briefing.pdf

South Central Pennsylvania - https://www.weather.gov/ctp/weatherstory

Northeast Pennsylvania - https://www.weather.gov/bgm/weatherstory

Take time today to charge batteries and check your equipment today.

Especially double check your antennas as high winds are part of the forecast.

I expect to begin monitoring 3918 KHz around noon. In northeast Pennsylvania, I will be monitoring 147.210 MHz (+600) tone pl 77 Hz. I will also monitor the NEPA Talkgroup (Brandmeister 31424) on DMR. Contact me on the air or by phone if you need any help.

Whatever occurs, use this time before the storm to prepare. As you prepare, don't forget to have food and water to last a couple of days if you get snowed in. Take care of your needs at home BEFORE Ham Radio activities.

The EPAEPTN meets daily (including holidays) at 5 PM EST (2100Z) on 3918 KHz. All amateurs are welcome. Don't worry if you have never handled traffic. This net specializes in training and we will be very happy to have you join us.

Most important, it's been several years since we have had a significant winter storm. Many people will have never driven in snow before and others will have forgotten that snow-covered roads are slippery. If you must venture out make sure you have a winter storm kit in your car and watch out for the other guy. Reduce speed on snow covered roadways.

Stay safe and be careful!

73

George Miller W3GWM

ARRL Eastern Penna. Section Manager

Phone: (570) 250-1007