2025 NWS Chicago Spring Training Sessions

Real-time reports are critical in issuing warnings and saving lives.  That’s an indisputable fact!  Storm spotters provide real-time ground-truth of local conditions, such as hail size, wind speed, tornado development, and local damage, to help warn the public. Even as new technology allows the National Weather Service to issue warnings with greater lead time, spotters will always serve as a critical link between radar indications of severe weather and what’s happening on the ground.

Who are Storm Spotters?

Virtually every community has some form of spotter network. Often, local fire and police personnel are trained to observe and report severe weather, partly due to their extensive radio communication and 24-hour operations.  Citizens may also be an active part of the spotter network, some with an avid interest in the weather and many without.  Some spotters are amateur radio operators.  All share a sense of responsibility to their neighbors.  

What is Skywarn?

SKYWARN is a program sponsored by the National Weather Service. The program is made up of thousands of volunteers who attend regular training and then scan the skies of their communities identifying and reporting critical storm information.  These volunteers, sometimes organized under the SKYWARN banner in the U.S., are typically trained by NWS forecasters to be the eyes and ears of both the warning forecasters and the local public safety networks.

Want to become a Storm Spotter? Here are the steps: 

1. Attend a storm spotter training class. 

Classes are free, last about 2 hours, and are open to the public.  We typically conduct our Storm Spotter classes virtually during the springtime (please see the schedule posted elsewhere on this website). Spotter training classes cover the basics of severe weather, including storm structure, feature identification, spotter positioning, safety, and severe weather communication. You can also take the class online on your own time here. 

2. Find out about the local storm spotting network in your community.

3. Retrain.

Q. What is a storm spotter?

A. The National Weather Service's (NWS) primary mission is to save lives and protect property through the issuance of warnings for hazardous weather. While Doppler Weather Radar is a great tool for detecting and tracking potentially severe storms, NWS meteorologists depend on real-time reports from trained spotters to know exactly what is occurring on the ground under a storm. The NWS trains people to identify severe storms and tornadoes and report them via organized communications networks (primarily local and county emergency management, law enforcement and amateur radio).

Q. What is the difference between a storm spotter and a storm chaser?

A. A storm spotter is volunteer or paid county or municipal employee who is spotting as a community service. Most spotters work as part of an organized network and are in communication with their community or organization, which is in turn in communication with the NWS. Some spotters are "mobile" spotters in vehicles, but most spot from fixed, strategic locations around the community or county. The purpose of spotting is to alert community officials and the NWS and assist them in warning the public. Schools, hospitals, and other facilities are encouraged to have spotters to alert people in their care of impending severe weather.

Storm chasing involves following a developing thunderstorm to view or photograph severe weather phenomena. Chasing may be done for educational purposes or scientific research but is mostly done for personal fulfillment.

Q. I want to be a storm chaser. What should I do?

A. College of DuPage in Glen Ellen offers storm chasing field trips that are open to students and the public. The Valparaiso University Meteorology Department offers storm chasing as an educational tool to 3rd and 4th year meteorology students. There are private firms, mostly in the Great Plains, that offer storm chase tours/vacations. Many can be found through an internet search.

Q. How do I become a spotter?

A. Attend a basic tornado and severe weather spotter class. Classes are free and open to the public, and is available virtually by our office every spring or on-demand at this link. The class takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Q. Is there a minimum age requirement to become a spotter?

A. Because of the complexity of severe thunderstorm structure and development, and the potential danger involved, spotting is recommended for adults. However, anyone age 10 and above can become a spotter. 

Q. Does the NWS issue a certificate or spotter ID number?

A. The NWS does not issue spotter ID numbers. Certificates are available on request. Some county emergency management agencies issue IDs and/or certificates. Please check with your local officials.

Q. What is the difference between Storm Spotter Training and Community Weather Preparedness Training? 

A. Storm Spotter Training covers the types of thunderstorms, different storm structures, types of severe weather hazards, and how to make storm reports. At this time, Storm Spotter Training in our local area (northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana) is only available online. 

Community Weather Preparedness Training covers a wider array of types relevant to hazardous weather during the warm season including thunderstorms, heat waves, and beach safety. At this time, Community Weather Preparedness Training is available in-person across northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. 

Both courses are free and open to the public. 

Q. Does the NWS have any additional training material?