If you are an amateur radio operator, you can check into the VE3RFI (443.250, Tone: 151.4) or VE3TVI (146.805 Tone: 151.4) repeaters. Once you check into the Net, please advise the Net Controller if you will be away from the radio. Also advise the Net Controller upon your return. If you are mobile, update your location with Net Control as it changes.

Your participation in the Net is welcome whether you are on a base station, mobile, or portable. However, please remember to always be aware of your surroundings and do not compromise your own personal safety while operating in severe weather.

Exercise caution while operating your station or using a wired telephone during electrical storms. Use cordless phones and radios with inside antennas when possible. DO NOT CHASE TORNADOES on foot or in your car.

NOTE: If you are not an amateur radio operator, but are an Environment Canada CanWarn trained volunteer, you can call the report in using the confidential 1-800 number and your CanWarn ID. The call-in number is very confidential and must never be broadcast or given to anyone.

Elements of a good report:

• Identify yourself with your callsign (use your CanWarn ID# if you are not an amateur radio operator and will be phoning it in), name and your location.

• What you have seen: tornado, funnel cloud, wall cloud, waterspout, flash flooding, hail (note size), damaging winds (note type of damage), etc.

• Where you saw it: the direction and distance from a known location. To avoid confusion, make sure you report the event location and not your location.

• When you saw it: make sure you note the time of your observation.

• What it was doing: describe the storm’s direction and speed of travel, size and intensity, and destructiveness. Include any amount of uncertainty as needed, i.e., “funnel cloud; no debris visible at the surface, but too far away to be certain it is not on the ground.”

Reportable weather events:

• Tornado, funnel cloud, waterspout, or wall cloud. (Be aware of false funnels. If you are not sure, monitor the cloud formation for a few minutes to verify. Always stay safe.
• Large scale rotation in thunderstorm.
• Nickle-sized hail, or larger
• Extensive hail coverage, any size
• Damage caused by hail.
• Heavy rain causing overflow or flooding (flash flooding).
• Damaging winds (usually greater than 80 kph). Evidence will include shingles and branches down, to significant damage.
• Other criteria as defined by Environment Canada.