Despite widespread Internet enabled weather data networks such as “Weather Underground” as well as NOAA sponsored volunteer programs such as CoCoRaHS, radio amateurs can still contribute valuable information during significant weather events. The availability of survivable communications networks, the natural dispersal of radio amateurs throughout a potential disaster area, and the foundational value of field service organizations such as ARES®, NTS, RACES and AUXCOMM allows for the implementation of a superior quality control system to ensure data is timely and accurate.
For some years now, RRI has incorporated a weather observation message format in the National Response Plan. However, the process of data collection, compilation, and distribution was not specifically defined. As a result, the RRI Emergency Communications Committee and the Winlink Development Team have collaborated to implement a specific process for reporting weather data.
This process includes software and message templates that facilitate quality control and systematic reporting of weather data during major events, such as hurricanes, widespread ice storms, or major winter storms. These tools are also designed to facilitate use by local and state EmComm organizations.
Fundamentally, a “Request for Information” (RI) query format is distributed to volunteer observers. This query string is then used in combination with a simple HTML program to create a “question table” in which answers in the form the weather data are inserted. The answer string is then inserted in a radiogram or radiogram-ICS213 message for transmission to a target station at which a quality control check is performed and the data inserted into a searchable spreadsheet for distribution to served agencies. This process can be implemented at the local, state, regional, or national level as necessary.
The necessary RI tools and message templates can be used stand-alone for manual modes or message origination/relay via the Digital Traffic Network, or they can be accessed from the Winlink template library for origination via the Winlink-RRI gateway process.
A simple power-point presentation is available here and on the RRI publications page explaining the process. A Spanish language version is also available here.
It is also recommended that one read the article about weather observing and the quality control of data in the Summer, 2025 issue of the “QNI Newsletter” available here.