 |
| What is Skywarn? |
|
SKYWARN is a program where meteorologists from your local National Weather Service go to the community to train volunteers on how to observe and report severe weather. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to their lcoal National Weather Service office.
The main responsibility of a SKYWARN spotter is to identify and describe severe severe weather. In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States.
|
|
| 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 to protect lives and propery. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time--seconds and minutes that can help save lives. |
| |
| Who is Eligible? |
The NWS encourages anyone with an interest in weather to attend a free SKYWARN class in your community to become an official Trained Spotter. Individuals who work outdoors and most likely to experience severe weather, such as police and fire personnel, EMS, utility workers and other citizens are encouraged to become a trained spotter. Anyone who spends time outdoors, whether camping, fishing, golfing or hiking would also benefit from a SKYWARN class.
|
SKYWARN classes are generally about 2 hours and held in the spring. Check back soon to find a calss near you!
|
SKYWARN Classes Cover:
- Basics of thunderstorm development
- Fundamentals of storm structure
- Identifying potential severe weather features
- Information to report
- How to report information
- Basic severe weather safety
|
More Information:
|
|
|
RSS Feeds