Free weather spotter training offered online

Posted On: September 23, 2020

Ever wanted to learn to be a trained weather spotter?

You’ll have two opportunities next month, and the training is free and conveniently available from the comfort of your own computer, cell phone or tablet. It’s called SKYWARN training, and it’s geared toward anyone interested in learning more about our Florida weather.

Taught by National Weather Service meteorologists, the SKYWARN program consists of trained weather spotters who help with the weather warning process by reporting severe and hazardous conditions like hail, wind, tornadoes and flooding in real time. The basic training, which is being taught online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, covers various aspects of severe weather, storm spotting, how storms form and severe weather safety.

“People who take this class will come away with a much better understanding of our weather patterns and the atmospheric factors that affect our weather systems here in Florida,” said Volusia County Emergency Management Director Jim Judge. “But more than that, they’ll be trained to provide a very important service to the public in helping to warn of potentially dangerous conditions.”

The basic class is being offered from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 and again from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28. To register, visit https://go.usa.gov/xvH9a. Once you register, you’ll receive an email approximately a week before the class with instructions on how to participate.