NWS Green Bay Storm Spotter Page

Severe Weather Spotters

Severe Weather Spotter Training and Outreach

Latest News:
- The spotter training schedule for the 2013 season is online. More classes will be added soon.
- Link added in the Additional Information section to the Community Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS).
- The new Weather Spotter's Field Guide is available online. Please review and print for your use.
- New training modules for storm spotters are available -- under "Training Online" below. These three online courses can be taken in lieu of attending a class.
- All spotters should complete the 15 minute on-line data quality training for spotters: "Spotter Report Data Quality."

What is a Storm Spotter?
Storm spotters are volunteers who help their community and NOAA's National Weather Service by keeping an "eye on the sky" during severe weather. Our spotters contact the NWS via phone, amateur radio, or the internet, keeping our forecast staff updated with the latest weather information from their location. Anyone over the age of 15 years old can become a spotter. If you would like to become a severe weather spotter for northeast or north-central Wisconsin, you must either attend training presented by NWS Green Bay or take the three online courses in the "Training Online" section below.

To remain a spotter in good standing, you must either attend a refresher course or retake the three online courses (see "Training Online" section below) every couple of years.

For additional information concerning the spotter program, contact your local emergency manager or NWS Green Bay Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jeff Last (jeff.last@noaa.gov).

Frequently Requested Severe Weather Products and Pages

Hazardous Weather Outlook -- NWS Green Bay Forecast Area
Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Watches -- NWS Green Bay Forecast Area
Severe Weather Watches -- For Wisconsin
Our Severe Weather Forecast Page -- Forecasts, watches, and warnings
Submit a Storm Report to NWS Green Bay
e-Spotter -- For our trained spotters

Amateur Radio Operations at NWS Green Bay - WX9GRB

Amateur radio spotters provide valuable weather reports to the NWS Green Bay office during severe weather. Several volunteer net controllers, lead by Christian Reynolds (KC0ARF), staff the amateur radio desk at the NWS Green Bay office--WX9GRB (above, left)--and stay in contact with spotters across northeast and north-central Wisconsin. The 80 ft tower (above, right) is home to the antennas.

Skywarn Recognition Day

WFO Green Bay once again participated in the annual event, celebrating the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National Weather Service. During the day, SKYWARN operators visit NWS offices and contact other radio operators across the world. Click here for more information about the event.

Spotter Brochures & Instructions

Tri-Fold Spotter Brochure-- .pdf format
Measuring Snowfall for NWS Green Bay -- .pdf format
Weather Spotter's Field Guide -- .pdf format -- NEW!

Training Online

The three online Spotter Training classes below can be taken in lieu of attending in-person classes (all three should be completed together). Upon completing the three online courses, email the Certificates of Completion to jeff.last@noaa.gov -- You will then receive additional information on becoming a spotter for northeast Wisconsin.
The Role of the Skywarn Spotter
Skywarn Spotters Convective Basics
Spotter Report Data Quality -- 15 minute training on the importance of accurate reporting.

Radar Interpretation
Weather Radar Fundamentals -- Fundamental principles of Doppler weather radar operation and how to interpret common weather phenomena using radar imagery
Dual Polarization Radar Training -- Relatively advanced; for meteorologists and non-meteorologists
Introduction to the WSR-88D NWS Doppler Radar -- Basic Doppler radar overview

Additional Spotter Information

Packerland Amateur Radio Skywarn Society (PASS)
Milwaukee Area Skywarn Association (MASA)
Wisconsin Spotter Amateur Radio Frequencies
Community Rain, Hail and Snow Network
Severe Weather Awareness
The Microburst Handbook

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office