In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damages. To obtain critical weather information, the National Weather Service (NWS) established Skywarn a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.
Although Skywarn spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the focus is reporting on severe local thunderstorms. In an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes.
Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by Skywarn spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.
Skywarn storm spotters form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that your efforts have given your family and neighbors the precious gift of time–minutes that can help save lives.
NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service to join the Skywarn program. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches and nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are encouraged to become a spotter. Ready to learn more? Find a class in your area. Training is free and typically lasts about two hours. You’ll learn:
- Basics of thunderstorm development
- Fundamentals of storm structure
- Identifying potential severe weather features
- Information to report
- How to report information
- Basic severe weather safety
Need help with other local information such as a missing class schedule? If you need help with a class schedule, contact your local Warning Coordination Meteorologist. He or she can let you know about upcoming classes. Classes typically are held in an office’s relatively slow season. Classes are NOT typically offered all year. Schedules vary from office to office.
Looking for our online program? You also can also take our free online spotter program. Some offices also ask that you take a local class to learn about weather unique to your area.
NWS Spokane will be hosting a two sessions of Cold Season Spotter and Observer training from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, October 16 and October 30. These sessions will be live and virtual. You can find the schedule and registration links on the NWS Spokane web page.
NWS Spokane works with county emergency managers and officials throughout eastern Washington and North Idaho to organize and schedule weather spotter and observer training classes. The training sessions are free and all are welcome. They concentrate on the Spring and Fall seasons for training. The training seminars are around 1 to 1.5 hours and include information on NWS products and services and the role of a NWS volunteer. A question and answer period will be available at the end of class, along with a seasonal outlook. You will be asked to register as a weather spotter or observer after class.
“We provide opportunities for the seasonal classes. We offer in-person classes upon request. Virtual training will require a computer or device with internet access and you will need to register in advance.