NWS Fairbanks Spotter Program

Spotter Training

The NWS Fairbanks is looking for volunteer weather spotters in Interior Alaska, the North Slope, and Western Alaska from Hooper Bay to Point Hope. 

Volunteer weather spotters are able to help their community and surrounding communities by reporting to the NWS thunderstorms, hail, heavy rainfall, strong winds, heavy snow, freezing rain, river and coastal flooding, etc. Most of the time a weather spotter will provide a report to us by phone, internet, social media, or ham radio. There may be times where we will call you in the event we feel that something unexpected is happening in your area or to ask further questions on a report that you already gave to us.

To become an official NWS spotter, take our free online training or attend an in-person or virtual training, which can be coordinated for your group. In person or virtual trainings are held a few times per year and announced on our home page and on social media. The spotter training covers how to make and send a spotter report, and provides all spotters with a common "weather language" to identify and describe weather events and ice and snow conditions. It is important that each spotter describes the same weather in the same way. This allows the NWS to incorporate your reports directly into their forecasting and warning system. The online training consists of filling out a sign-up form, reviewing the posted training materials, and passing the quiz. The in-person or virtual training is about a one hour presentation, with additional time for questions. The training is good for two years.

If you are interested in becoming a spotter, read the NOAA Privacy Act Statement, click on this link and fill out the sign-up form. For additional information about our spotter program contact Ryan Metzger by email or by phone at (907) 458-3708.

What happens after I fill out the spotter signup form? Go ahead and review the online training materials under "Spotter Resources" or sign up for a posted in-person training if available. Once you have had storm spotter training and have passed the quiz, we will issue a certificate with your spotter location ID and number. Remember, training is good for two years.

Reporting Hazardous Weather

Reporting hazardous weather (winter or summer) is essential! Remember that each report, regardless of the method, must include the time and location of the event.

When to report: Whenever you see weather that is, or potentially is, damaging or hazardous!

Why spotter reports are important: The key element of the mission of the National Weather Service is to issue weather-related warnings for the protection of life and property. So, volunteer storm spotters help us achieve this goal by giving us the information on hazardous weather as it's occurring.

How to report:

Online: Use our online weather reporting form!

Email: fairbanks.weather@noaa.gov - A great way to include picture and/or video.

Telephone: (907) 458-3708 If you do call in make sure to have your spotter ID or number ready so that we can identify who you are!

Facebook: Visit the NWS Fairbanks Facebook page and post a severe weather report to our wall.

Twitter: Send Twitter reports to the National Weather Service by including the #akwx or #nwsafg hashtag or send them directly to @NWSFairbanks.

What to report:

With any report, please include your Spotter ID or number (for existing spotters only) or who you are (public, law enforcement, etc.), location, the time of the event, and what occurred. The Northern Alaska Weather Spotter Guide is a good reference to use.
 

Spotter Resources

NWS Fairbanks Storm Spotter Training consists of completing the sign up form, reviewing the Training Presentation PDF and passing the quiz below, or attending an in-person training (~ 1 hour). Once completed, you will receive a certificate in your email that will be good for two years"

Northern Alaska Weather Spotter Training Presentation

Become a Weather Spotter Quiz

Additional Information:

• Northern Alaska Weather Spotter Guide
• How to Read a 4 Inch Rain Gage

NWS Fairbanks Storm Spotter Q&A

What is a storm spotter?
NWS Fairbanks storm spotters are critical eyes-on-the-ground volunteers who identify and report severe weather to the NWS. In Alaska, this mainly consists of reporting snowfall totals or the presence for freezing rain and ice accumulation. However, we encourage storm spotters to report any weather that is impacting their community.

Why are storm spotters needed?
Spotters provide verification of severe weather occurring in their area. Due to the limited radar coverage in Northern Alaska, our spotter reports are often the only way of confirming what is going on at the surface. We use our spotter reports to aid in the forecasting and warning process to make sure we are putting out the most accurate and up-to-date forecasts and weather advisories as possible. We also use the reports to inform the public through the media of any significant weather.

Will I get paid to be a spotter?
You will not get paid to be a spotter. All of our spotters are volunteers.

Will I need to buy any equipment?
No. It is not necessary to have weather instruments to be a spotter. Snowboards, snow sticks, and rain gauges are helpful when reporting snowfall and rainfall measurements.

What is the difference between a spotter and a Cooperative Observer?
Cooperative observers submit weather information such as temperature and precipitation on a daily basis, while spotters only report severe weather on an as-needed basis.

How is my information on the storm spotter registration form used?
All information provided on the storm spotter registration form will never be released and remains internal to the NWS. All spotter reports received will only be identified by spotter ID.

What if I move?
If you move out of Northern Alaska, we will remove your name from our storm spotter list and refer you to the nearest National Weather Service office at your new location. If you move, but remain within Northern Alaska and still want to be a spotter, then contact us with your updated information.

Any additional questions?
Please email Ryan Metzger at ryan.metzger@noaa.gov or call the NWS Fairbanks office at (907) 458-3708.