The National Weather Service/NWS Forecast Office uses amateur radio transmission network as one method of communicating with "Amateur Radio Storm Spotter Groups and Emergency Management Organizations" throughout Washington State, Puget Sound Region and Fort Ward Amateur Radio Station area of responsibility.

Decades of service, amateur radio operators have provided invaluable radio transmission weather reports in support of the The National Weather Service Forecasting "SKYWARN" Storm Spotter Program by using amateur radio operator communications capabilities to share critical information between the National Weather Service, the Pacific Northwest local emergency management officials, boater weather network and amateur radio storm spotter networks.

National Weather Service Gratitude is grateful to the dedication of amateur radio groups throughout the United States and Pacific Northwest, a "SKYWARN" Fort Ward Amateur Radio station Network and relay station has been established to facilitate two way communication between National Weather Service and local emergency management agencies and storm spotter networks.

The SKYWARN NETWORK is designed as a "liaison radio transmission network" during severe weather operations, serving as a collection point where local ""SKYWARN" Pacific Northwest Repeaters and Frequencies Weather Spotter Networks" can collect and relay reports and information to the Pacific Northwest National Weather Service. The local networks control stations gather information from individual amateur radio operating storm spotter's and relaying information to the National Weather Service via the liaison radio transmission networks and relay stations.

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Phone: 206-780-6885 E-mail: fwarc@usa.com