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Severe Weather in the Central U.S.; Critical Fire Weather in the Southern Plains
Severe thunderstorms are expected to form today from northern Oklahoma into southern Minnesota. Very large hail and tornadoes will be the initial threats this afternoon, then transition into a wind threat tonight. Gusty winds, warm temperatures, and very dry conditions will create a Critical Risk of fire weather across portions of the southern Plains today.
Read More >
SKYWARN
National Program
NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program
Weather.gov
> SKYWARN
In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damages.  To obtain critical weather information, the National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN
with partner organizations. SKYWARN
is a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.
Although SKYWARN
spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the focus is reporting on severe local thunderstorms. In an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes.
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 for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods. SKYWARN
storm spotters form the nation's first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that your efforts have given your family and neighbors the precious gift of time--minutes that can help save lives.
Who is eligible and how do I get started?
NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service to join the SKYWARN
program. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches and nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are encouraged to become a spotter. Ready to learn more?
Find a class in your area
. Training is free and typically lasts about 2 hours. You'll learn:
Basics of thunderstorm development
Fundamentals of storm structure
Identifying potential severe weather features
Information to report
How to report information
Basic severe weather safety
Need help with other local information such as a missing class schedule?
If you need help with a class schedule, contact your local
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
.  He or she can let you know about upcoming classes. Classes typically are held in an office's relatively slow season.  Classes are NOT typically offered all year.  Schedules vary from office to office.
Looking for our free online program?
Just click on General Users (register
here
). After registering, you can attend the SKYWARN® Spotter Registration, Role of the Skywarn Spotter, and Skywarn Spotter Convective Basics courses. Some offices also ask that you take a local class to learn about weather unique to your area.
SKYWARN name and logo are trademarked:
SKYWARN
is a registered trademark of NOAA's National Weather Service.
Please read the rules for the usage of the SKYWARN
name and logo
Supplemental Resources
NWSI 10-1807
Cloud Chart
Cloud Chart (Español)
Navajo Weather Poster
NWS Weather Field Spotter's Guide
NWS Weather Field Spotter's Guide
(Español)
Mobile version of the Spotter's Guide
SKYWARN Spotters
ACES Safety Guidance
NWS-ARRL Memorandum of Understanding
NWS-Spotter Network Memorandum of Understanding
Example of State Partnered SKYWARN Weather Spotter
The collection of Skywarn information is authorized under the OMB Control Number included in the Paperwork Reduction Act and Privacy Act statements you can access
here
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
SKYWARN
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Silver Spring, MD 20910
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