These equipment are just tools, however. Weather observations, like wind speed or rainfall amounts, are essential for forecasters so they know what exactly is occurring during severe weather events. Whether Hurricane Floyd is sweeping across the Atlantic coast or an F5 tornado is ripping through Oklahoma City, real time observations provide crucial information in the public warning process. Unfortunately, it is precisely at this time that communication between a NWS office and volunteer storm spotters may become unreliable. Devastating winds, lightning strikes, and floods may down telephone lines.
Communication centers can become overwhelmed by requests for aid.
It is during these times that many NWS offices enlist the help of amateur radio operators. In recognition of the valuable service amateur radio provides, the NWS and the ARRL co-sponsored a 24 hour special event on November 26 and 27, 1999. Approximately 55 NWS offices around the country hosted amateur radio operators in their offices during the event. These transmissions were made on amateur radio frequencies, not on those used by AM or FM radio stations. NWS offices across the county participated in this event.