Free weather spotter training offered online

Posted On: December 2, 2020

Volunteer citizen weather watchers who feed real-time information to professional meteorologists are essential to the public receiving timely warnings about threatening conditions such as hail, wind, tornadoes and flooding. For those interested in joining the team, there are three opportunities this month to get the training needed to become an official weather spotter for the National Weather Service (NWS).

Called SKYWARN, the virtual training program is conveniently available from the comfort of a computer, although a separate, toll-free phone line will be needed for the audio. While cell phones or tablets can also be used, some of the material will be more difficult to view on smaller screens. The basic class is being offered from 10 to noon both this Saturday, Dec. 5 and Monday, Dec. 14, while the advanced class is being offered from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 14. All of the classes are offered online for free.

“These are great webinars led by National Weather Service experts, and they cover everything from how storms form and the various aspects of severe weather to perhaps most importantly, severe weather safety,” said Volusia County Emergency Management Director Jim Judge. “It’s essential information for spotters, who play an important role in helping to warn the public about potentially dangerous weather conditions.”

Participants must live in East Central Florida, register in advance and complete the class in order to become a spotter for NWS Melbourne. A spotter ID card will be issued upon completion of the class. To register, visit https://go.usa.gov/xvH9a. Residents who register will receive an email before the class with instructions on how to participate.