Loveland, Ohio – Here’s a great opportunity for public service for individuals with interests in weather and communication: Take a 2-hour virtual class led by a National Weather Service meteorologist to become a Skywarn Weather Spotter.
Skywarn spotters volunteer to become the “eyes and ears” of the National Weather Service. Spotters serve their community by acting as a valuable source of information when dangerous storms approach.
Classes are free, open to the public, and require registration via the links provided in each course description below. Each class covers techniques and safety for severe weather spotting. Once you attend a class, you will receive instructions for filling out online registration forms to officially become a trained spotter and can report severe weather to your NWS office.
During the webinar, a National Weather Service meteorologist will teach you how to properly identify and report significant weather events that have an impact on the safety of your community, such as damaging winds, hail, heavy rain, and tornadoes. At this time, there are no in-person spotter training courses scheduled for the 2021 spring season.
The National Weather Service encourages anyone with an interest in public service and access to communication, such as amateur radio, to participate as a Skywarn storm spotter. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers, and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches, nursing homes, or who have a responsibility for protecting others are also encouraged to become a spotter.
Spotter Webinar 1: Friday, February 19, 2021 (1 PM – 3 PM): https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8258577384418148110
Spotter Webinar 2: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 (7 PM – 9 PM): https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4105945167168648206
Spotter Webinar 3: Thursday, March 4, 2021 (7 PM – 9 PM): https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8790359481726954766
Spotter Webinar 4: Monday, March 8, 2021 (6 PM – 8 PM): https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5017422714408992270
Spotter Webinar 5: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 (6 PM – 8 PM): https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8257513057162542350
Spotter Webinar 6: Saturday, March 27, 2021 (12 PM – 2 PM): https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5687758669980329230
This information and registration links are also available at the spotter training website — https://www.weather.gov/iln/spotter training schedule.
