SKYWARN Storm Spotter Radio
Why NE ARES Matters?
When Nebraska has damaging and dangerous weather, Nebraska Amateur Radio Emergency Services (NE ARES) Volunteers are the first line of defense. NE ARES Volunteers serve their community as trained weather spotters to work in conjunction with local emergency management authorities to provide early warning reports to help local officials save lives. NE ARES volunteers are Nebraskans just like you. They care about their community and donate their time freely to help make their neighborhoods safe. When damaging weather does impact an area, they are often the first people into a disaster area to assist emergency management teams in damage assessments. This service helps to reduce response times for disaster services such as FEMA.
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Storm Spotting
Storm Spotters are volunteers who donate their time to protect you from dangerous weather by placing themselves in strategic locations to watch for and report dangerous weather to local emergency management teams. Certified Storm Spotters in Nebraska are also licensed amateur radio operators. Learn more about becoming an amateur radio operator or becoming a storm spotter.
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Damage Assessment
Did you know that after a damaging weather event that our volunteers are the first into a disaster area? NE ARES is often setting up tents and offering aid to Nebraskans days before FEMA even arrives on scene. That’s because we are local volunteers who want to help our neighbors and community. Consider supporting us by becoming a volunteer or donating to our organization.
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Education
Part of NEARES is to educate and help volunteers prepare to handle disasters. We offer training coordination in the areas of basic storm spotting, finding an amateur radio operator’s class near you, or access to other FEMA and ARRL developed courses. The best preparation for a disaster is knowledge and planning. Please consider supporting your local volunteers.
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When storms hit, we are some of the first volunteers to respond. Get involved today.
Blog Updates
Check Out Our Blogs For Helpful Information, Related News, and Updates
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Doppler Radar – Why Storm Spotters Are Needed (Part 2)
Sep 14, 2026also Doppler Radar - Why Storm Spotters Are Needed (Part 2) Radar Is an Extraordinary Tool—But It Is Not an Eyewitness Modern Doppler weather radar is one of the most powerful observational tools in meteorology. A WSR-88D...
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Doppler Radar – Why Storm Spotters Are Needed (Part 1)
Sep 14, 2026Why Trained Storm Spotters Are Still Needed in the Age of Doppler Radar Doppler radar has revolutionized severe-weather forecasting. It's important to understand Doppler Radar Uses Limitations and Why Storm Spotters are Needed for the most...
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The Great Plains Super Launch – June 19th -20th
Jun 12, 2026The Great Plains Super Launch (GPSL) The premier balloon gathering for amateur radio high altitude balloon enthusiasts, the Great Plains Super Launch - amateur radio high altitude balloon event, is pleased to announce that our annual gathering...
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Did you know…
…These Famous People Are Ham Radio Operators?
- Tim Allen
- Walter Cronkite
- Hugh Downs
- Jim Croce
- Larnelle Harris,
- Priscilla Presley
- Joe Walsh
- and Chet Atkins
Did you know…
…That Sky Warn was commissioned in the 1970s by the National Weather Service for Ham Radio Operators to relay information about dangerous weather?
Donate Now
Please support our volunteers who continually donate their time and resources to make our communities safe.
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Partner with NE ARES
We are thankful for all our donors and supporters that make all this possible!