Skywarn Severe Storm and Tornado Spotter Training
The National Weather Service will offer Skywarn severe storm and tornado spotter training classes throughout north central and northeast Illinois, and northwest Indiana, from February through April. The classes will be free and open to the public. Most will be held on weekday evenings, but some daytime and Saturday classes will be available. The classes take about 2 hours. A complete schedule will be posted in this spot, weather.gov/chicago, Top News of the Day, beginning around January 25.
Severe weather season generally begins by mid April, so we try to have all training completed by then. There are very few training opportunities beyond mid April. To make the most efficient use of limited staffing and resources, we coordinate the training schedule through your county emergency management agency. If you are associated with a local municipal police, fire, emergency services, or public works department and would like to host a spotter training class, please contact your county EMA. Your agency’s facility must provide sufficient space to open the class up to the public and nearby communities. Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and security or emergency response team personnel from local businesses are encouraged to send personnel to training classes. The NWS Chicago office does not offer online spotter training at this time.
Here is more information on spotter training;
Spotter FAQ
Q. What is a storm spotter?
A. The National Weather Service’s (NWS) primary mission is to save lives and protect property through the issuance of warnings for hazardous weather. The WSR-88D Doppler Weather Radar is a great tool for detecting and tracking potentially severe storms and the rotation that leads to most strong and violent tornadoes. However, NWS meteorologists also depend on real-time reports from trained spotters to know exactly what is occurring on the ground under a storm. The NWS trains people to identify severe storms and tornadoes and report them via organized communications networks (primarily local and county emergency management, law enforcement and amateur radio).
A. A storm spotter is volunteer or paid county or municipal employee who is spotting as a community service. Most spotters work as part of an organized network and are in communication with their community or organization, which is in turn in communication with the NWS. Some spotters are "mobile" spotters in vehicles, but most spot from fixed, strategic locations around the community or county. Mobile spotting in densely populated urban areas is unsafe. The purpose of spotting is to alert community officials and the NWS and assist them in warning the public. Schools, hospitals, and other facilities are encouraged to have spotters to alert people in their care of impending severe weather.
Storm chasing involves following a developing thunderstorm to view or photograph severe weather phenomena. Chasing may be done for educational purposes or scientific research but it is mostly done for personal fulfillment.
Q. How can I become a storm chaser?
A. College of DuPage in Glen Ellen offers storm chasing field trips that are open to students and the public. The Valparaiso University Meteorology Department offers storm chasing as an educational tool to meteorology students. There are private firms, mostly in the Great Plains, that offer storm chase tours/vacations. Many can be found through an internet search.
Q. How can I become a spotter?
A. Attend a basic tornado and severe weather spotter class. Classes are held throughout the area, they are free and open to the public. The class takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Most classes are held weekday evenings, but there are a few daytime and Saturday classes. The training is generally done in late winter and early spring - before severe weather season. The training consists of a slide and video program which teaches potential spotters about severe storm structure, and how to identify cloud features and other environmental clues to identify severe storms and tornadoes. Communications systems and spotter networks are explained so the spotter knows where to report, and how that information is used by the NWS and local officials. A complete schedule of classes can be found on our website from about late January through April.
Q. Is there a minimum age requirement to become a spotter?
A. Because of the complexity of severe thunderstorm structure and development, and the potential danger involved, spotting is recommended for adults. High school and junior high school or middle school students are welcome to attend the class with a parent or other adult.
Q. I have already taken a spotter class. Where can I learn more?
A. The National Weather Service encourages spotters to be retrained every 2 years. In addition, spotters can attend the Advanced Severe Weather Spotter Workshop at Wheaton College. The Advanced Spotter class is usually held on a Saturday in early March. It is an all-day class. There is a registration fee that covers the cost of the speakers, lunch and refreshments. Contact DuPage County Office of Emergency Management at 630-682-7925 for more information.
Q. Does the NWS issue a certificate or spotter ID number?
A. The NWS does not issue spotter ID numbers. Certificates are available on request. Some county emergency management agencies issue IDs and/or certificates. Please check with your local officials.
Q. What is Skywarn?
A. Skywarn is a National Weather Service network of volunteer weather spotters.
A. Most storm reports from spotters are relayed to the NWS by phone or radio. eSpotter is a method for trained spotters to report to the NWS through a web form. You must be a trained spotter to gain access to eSpotter.
Return to News Archive
