Revitalizing CANWARN in Atlantic Canada |
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CANWARN is a volunteer organization of amateur radio operators who report severe weather and damage reports to Environment Canada when they see it. Weather reports from amateur radio operators help confirm on the ground what satellites and radars see in the atmosphere. The information gathered from CANWARN is also used to update and fine tune weather warnings, fill in gaps in current observing networks and is also valuable in forensic storm analysis. When Environment Canada issues severe weather watches or warnings, they may alert the CANWARN volunteer Net Controllers in the affected areas. The volunteer Net Controllers contact other CANWARN members on the amateur radio, tell them a watch or warning has been issued and ask them to report signs of approaching severe weather. The weather and damage reports received from CANWARN members can provide key information to weather forecasters during any type of severe weather event. In Atlantic Canada CANWARN can be activated for the following types of events:
Although CANWARN has been in place in New Brunswick for a number of years, it is relatively new to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. A project is now underway which will hopefully revive CANWARN in New Brunswick and introduce the program to the other Atlantic Provinces. The project includes installing a 2-metre amateur radio at the Canadian Hurricane Centre, recruiting new CANWARN members and possibly conducting some training sessions later this year. The next steps will involve gauging interest in CANWARN amongst the amateur radio community through a combination of test activations and real severe weather events. When a CANWARN net is activated in their area, amateurs are encouraged to send in their reports of severe to the Net Controller on frequency who will then pass them on to forecasters at Environment Canada. Contact: Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
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