Radio Amateurs of Canada is pleased to once again present CANWARN Training Sessions. CANWARN, Radio Amateurs of Canada’s national severe weather preparedness program, is an important initiative. It equips volunteers with free storm spotter training, empowering them to protect Canadians from severe weather. It also educates citizens on recognizing and reporting severe weather, a vital contribution to keeping our communities safe. Please see below for information.
CANWARN Events: Training June 20 | Fireside Chat June 25
CanWarn Training 2024: Thursday, June 20
Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), the national association for Amateur Radio in Canada, is pleased to present another CanWarn training session for Amateurs and non-Amateurs.
Date: Thursday June 20, 2024, at 7 pm EST.
Note: The first session was held on on Thursday May 23.
Cost: There is no charge for this event.
What: This will be the CANWARN training program for the 2024 season.
Who: This event is open to anyone interested in learning about the CANWARN severe weather preparedness program.
How: The sessions will be offered via RAC Zoom Webinar. The Zoom links and information is provided below. You do not need to preregister for the training courses.
Beyond CanWarn 2024 Special Event: June 25
Radio Amateurs of Canada is pleased to once again present the following special event: “Beyond CanWarn 2024: A Fireside Chat”.
In this special one-on-one session, Jason Tremblay, VE3JXT, RAC Community Services Officer, and Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist, will discuss the past, present, and future of CANWARN, which has been impacted by global climate changes and their impact on Canadians.
Date: Tuesday June 25, 2024, at 7 pm EST.
Note: The date was previously listed as June 27 but has been changed to June 25.
Cost: There is no charge for this event.
Who: This will be a behind-the-scenes look at the CANWARN program.
Who: This event is open to anyone interested in learning about CANWARN. It is not a training course, just a unique information event.
How: The special event will be offered via RAC Zoom Webinar. Please stay tuned to this webpage for Zoom information. You do not need to preregister for the event.
Canadian Weather Amateur Radio Network (CANWARN) Training
Severe storms can occur at any time of the year. Spring and summer thunderstorms can flare up suddenly and race along at speeds in excess of 80 km/h.
Large hail, damaging winds, flash floods and tornadoes are all linked to severe thunderstorms. Large-scale fall and winter storms can deliver significant impacts over a broad area. Heavy snow, freezing rain, rain and strong winds can occur with these storms.
Trained volunteers across Canada monitor the skies for signs of severe weather including strong winds, funnel clouds, hailstorms and blizzards. When they spot such activity, they report the exact time and location to Environment Canada’s meteorologists.
These reports are of immense importance as they are often the first and sometimes the only way forecasters receive notice of a localized event that would otherwise go undetected through remote sensing methods or official observation networks.
Visual confirmation is also critical in validating the forecasters’ diagnosis of the weather pattern.
Early reports of severe weather help improve the accuracy and timeliness of the alerts issued to the public by Environment Canada.
Although some weather spotters undergo formal training– including members of the Canadian Weather Amateur Radio Network (CANWARN) – all Canadians are encouraged to report any signs of severe weather in their area. However, if you are unsure of the severity of an event, it is recommended to contact the weather office and allow the forecaster to make an assessment. These volunteers come from diverse backgrounds including Amateur Radio operators, first responders, government employees and members of the public interested in helping others.
Reports are sent to Environment and Climate Change Canada through social media and/or a special email address.
The following provinces and territories have formal mechanisms for reporting severe weather using hashtags and email::
- Alberta – #ABStorm –
- British Columbia – #BCStorm –
- Manitoba – #MBStorm –
- New Brunswick – #NBStorm –
- Newfoundland and Labrador – #NLwx –
- Northwest Territories – #NTStorm –
- Nova Scotia – #NSStorm –
- Nunavut – #NUStorm –
- Ontario – #ONStorm –
- Prince Edward Island – #PEStorm –
- Quebec – #QCStorm –
- Saskatchewan – #SKStorm –
- Yukon – #YTStorm –
CANWARN Training Hosts:
Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist:
Geoff Coulson has been a Meteorologist for 37 years. He worked for Environment Canada for 35 years as an Operational Forecaster, Trainer, Outreach Officer, and Warning Preparedness Meteorologist (WPM).
As a WPM, he provided various clients with weather information, from the media to other government and private sector levels. He managed the CANWARN Storm Spotter Program in Ontario and sat on the Provincial Flood and Forecasting Committee for several years.
Since retirement, Geoff has continued providing weather presentations and returned to Environment Canada part-time to help with specific projects. Recently, he began to learn to play the digital piano. His wife is very happy the digital piano has a headphone jack.
Jason Tremblay, VE3JXT, RAC Community Services Officer:
Jason Tremblay, VE3JXT, has served as RAC Community Services Officer since January 1, 2020. He received his Amateur Radio certification in 2014.
Jason has been instrumental in promoting and educating our local communities about Amateur Radio and its benefits.
His previous roles as the Director of Community Services for the Barrie Amateur Radio Club and as a volunteer with St John Ambulance and the Red Cross highlight his commitment to public service and community engagement.
Zoom Links and Information
You do not need to pre-register for the event and can join the meeting via Zoom just before the meeting starts.
The Zoom links and login procedures are provided below.
Note: Please visit this webpage just prior to the meeting to confirm the information as it may be updated before the meeting.
CanWarn Training Session: June 20
Topic: CanWarn Training 2024
Date: June 20, 2024
Time: 7 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/67021636400?pwd=VFZrWE9rbWVYcVI0T2JpdjcyR2dkZz09
Meeting ID: 670 2163 6400
Passcode: 621369
One tap mobile
+16475580588,,67021636400#,,,,*621369# Canada
+17789072071,,67021636400#,,,,*621369# Canada
Dial by your location:
- +1 647 558 0588 Canada
- +1 778 907 2071 Canada
- +1 204 272 7920 Canada
- +1 438 809 7799 Canada
- +1 587 328 1099 Canada
- +1 647 374 4685 Canada
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Find your local number: https://ca01web.zoom.us/u/gbJhFY4U2g
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Beyond CanWarn Fireside Chat | Q&A: June 25
Date: June 25, 2024
Time: 7 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/61151922816?pwd=c0Y0M0E4b25oTEpKUGJpQ3p3cS9idz09
Meeting ID: 611 5192 2816
Passcode: 182242
One tap mobile:
+12042727920,,61151922816#,,,,*182242# Canada
+14388097799,,61151922816#,,,,*182242# Canada
Dial by your location:
- +1 204 272 7920 Canada
- +1 438 809 7799 Canada
- +1 587 328 1099 Canada
- +1 647 374 4685 Canada
- +1 647 558 0588 Canada
- +1 778 907 2071 Canada
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Find your local number: https://ca01web.zoom.us/u/gcSKxaGfMs