Started in the spring of 2001, the W5YM University WeatherNet was established with two major goals: “ground truth” reports on severe weather from the Washington County area and promoting severe weather awareness in both the amateur radio community and general public. As such, the W5YM University WeatherNet serves as a relay for pertinant information to served agencies across the region.Each week, the W5YM University WeatherNet conducts a training net to familiarize potential spotters with the weather criteria and net procedures. This net is held at 8:00 PM local time each Monday evening.When severe weather hits the UofA area, the University WeatherNet is activated to gather reports and forward them to the appropriate authorities. While the issuance of a severe weather warning or watch from the National Weather Service in Tulsa is often the criteria for activation, severe weather may happen without warnings and the net will activate on its own.For more information on the University WeatherNet, please contact Bill Smith, ARRL Emergency Coordinator for Washington County/District EC for Area L.