SKYWARN HOME FORECAST Local Graphical Aviation Marine Rivers and Lakes Hurricanes Severe Weather Fire Weather Sunrise/Sunset Long Range Forecasts Climate Prediction Space Weather PAST WEATHER Past Weather Astronomical Data Certified Weather Data SAFETY INFORMATION Wireless Emergency Alerts Weather-Ready Nation Brochures Cooperative Observers Daily Briefing Damage/Fatality/Injury Statistics Forecast Models GIS Data Portal NOAA Weather Radio Publications SKYWARN Storm Spotters StormReady TsunamiReady Service Change Notices EDUCATION NEWS SEARCH Search For NWS All NOAA ABOUT About NWS Organization For NWS Employees National Centers Careers Contact Us Glossary Social Media NWS Transformation Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Threats in the Midwest and Ohio Valley; Heat Continues in the Plains and Southeast An active pattern will continue to bring heavy to excessive rainfall and flash flooding threats to the Midwest and Ohio Valley over the next couple of days. Dangerous heat continues across the central/southern Plains and Southeast U.S. into next week. There is potential for record-tying/breaking temperatures with many areas forecast to see their hottest temperatures so far this year. 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 NWS office. 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. 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