Mid-Iowa SKYWARN Association
Contact Information
SKYWARN is the National Weather Service (NWS) program of trained volunteer severe weather spotters. SKYWARN spotters support their local community and government by providing the NWS and county emergency managers with real time severe weather reports. These reports, when received by meteorologists and integrated with modern NWS technology, can then be used to inform citizens of the proper actions to take as severe weather threatens.
Why do meteorologists need severe weather reports from weather spotters during severe weather events? Doppler radar was designed to look into storm clouds and their surroundings to detect wind currents and other storm structures that suggest whether a storm is severe or on its way to becoming severe. Ground truth information reported by spotters under or near a storm greatly enhances the warning process by correlating actual storm structure with radar signatures that NWS meteorologists view and use to make warning decisions
The Mid-Iowa SKYWARN Association (MISA) was formed for the exchange of information and cooperation between members in spotting severe weather as well as how and where to report this information. While many of our members are licensed amateur radio operators, we welcome anyone who has an interest in benefiting fellow citizens by reporting severe weather events. MISA's geographical area is the fifty one county warning area served by the National Weather Service office in Johnston
MISA maintains an amateur radio club station (KØDMX) at the NWS office in Johnston to receive severe weather reports from amateur radio operators. MISA also maintains a web site for education and information sharing. This website is available to anyone that has access to the internet. Highlights of the website include information on severe storm spotting for a wide spectrum of people: from those with little or no spotting experience to advanced spotters who would like to learn more technical information on severe storms. Additionally, safety information for severe weather is available to refresh your memory.
To learn more about the Mid-Iowa SKYWARN Association or the amateur radio service please contact one of our officers below. If you're interested in joining MISA, download the membership application below. You may also call 1-800-SKYWARN (759-9276) to leave your contact information if you have a question about MISA or write the National Weather Service, Attention MISA, 9607 Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA 50131 and a MISA representative will reply to your query.
Mid-Iowa SKYWARN Association Officers
Jim Snapp, NAØR, President (Altoona) na0r@arrl.net
Jeff Johnson, KCØOGL, Vice President (Ankeny) jeff.johnson@noaa.gov
Dan Case, KBØJUL, Secretary/Treasurer (Dallas Center) kb0jul@arrl.net