Did you know that the National Weather Station radar systems can not see what is happening on the ground?
The most sophisticated radar systems can still only see down to approximately 4000ft.. There’s a lot of predictions that go into weather reporting, based on a lot of data from the radars and satellites. BUT, they can not actually know what is happening on the ground. And that’s where Spotters come in.
Skywarn Spotters are just your average citizen who has a interest in weather and is willing to be trained (for FREE) to properly report significant information to your local National Weather Service office. The best option for training is in-person. However, that may or may not be feasible in your area or with your schedule. There are generic virtual trainings available from the NWS website, but each area of the country deals with regionally specific issues. Therefore, it is important that you get trained on weather events in your area and know what to look for and how to properly report it.
To find training for your specific area, go to weather.gov; click on your specific area on the interactive map; go to “Local Programs” and/or search for Skywarn training. If you are unable to find anything, you can always reach out to your regional office and inquire.
Training typically occurs in the Spring of each year. So if you missed it this year, just put something on your calendar to remind you to revisit it next year.