Gainesville Texas Fire Department

Weather is constantly changing and developing. Equipped with sophisticated radar sources, we can help track the storms that plague our north Texas area and better inform the citizens of our community.

We receive weather warnings from the National Weather Service via alphanumeric pages. Once these pages are received, the information is forwarded to the local law enforcement agencies and Storm Spotters when activation is requested.

Local radar information is received via our storm tracking software, Mx Vision Storm Sentry, which is a sophisticated storm tracking system provided by Meterologix. We receive instant access to up-to-the-minute radar images, lightening information, winter weather forecasts, flood monitoring, and satellite pictures. The enhanced high-resolution radar images are received via the National Weather Service NEXRAD sites directly to a satellite on our premises. NEXRAD radar data not only determines how fast a storm is moving, but which areas are in the path of the storm. The storm's intensity, direction, hail size, and estimated time of arrival are also available.

Our spotters are equipped with UHF radios in the field to stay in constant contact with other spotters and our headquarters. They utilize a local government frequency of 453.425 mhz. We also have the ability of talking directly to the National Weather Service and other nearby areas on Amateur Radio frequencies from our headquarters. This allows us to know what to expect from storms from nearby vicinities.
The information provided to us is crucial in warning the public of impending severe weather.

Knowing the difference between a WATCH and a WARNING can assist you in preparing for an emergency. When atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop a WATCH is issued by the National Weather Service. A WATCH is issued when a thunderstorm, tornado or flooding is possible. Just remember, in a WATCH, Watch the sky…

A WARNING is issued when severe thunderstorms or tornadoes are indicated by Doppler radar or reported by reliable sources such as storm spotters. Listen closely to the information provided in the WARNING on local radio or television. Important details such as what locations are at risk and protective measures to take are always mentioned. Just remember in a WARNING…Take Action! When a WARNING is issued for our area by the National Weather Service, the local Emergency Management officials will activate our Emergency Alert warning system.

For more information on the Division of Emergency Management's Storm Spotting program, contact: Captain David Patterson, Storm Spotter Coordinator at (940)668-7777 EXT 743 or email
dpatterson@gvps.org

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