Online Spotter Training and Other Resources

Skywarn Spotter Training - YouTube Video Presentations

These videos do NOT replace the on-site training, rather these will serve as refresher training and supplement the online METED programs. Additional training resources can be found by scrolling down the page!

Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Individual Videos Can be viewed by selecting the links below:

Section 1 - Introduction to the Skywarn Spotter Program

Section 2 - Why We Need Spotters

Section 3 - Thunderstorm Ingredients and Lifecycle

Section 4 - Thunderstorm Types

Section 5 - Thunderstorm Hazards

Section 6 - Cloud ID

Second Half of the Program

Section 7 - Resources and Preparedness

Section 8a - What, When and How to Report: Hail

Section 8b - What, When and How to Report: Wind Damage

Section 8c - What, When and How to Report: Wind Speed

Section 8d - What, When and How to Report: Wall Funnel Clouds and Tornado

Section 8e - What, When and How to Report: Flooding

Section 8f - What, When and How to Report: Lightning Damage

Section 8g - What, When and How to Report: Reporting Hints

Section 9-Winter Weather Hazards, Resources, Preparedness, and Reporting

Several Online Courses are NOW available! Enroll in the MetEd Skywarn Spotter Course The Skywarn Course consists of TWO modules
MetEd/UCAR/COMET:	Role of the Skywarn Spotter	Target Audience
	This course covers the basics of being a SKYWARN Spotter. The goal of the course is to provide baseline training for all spotters through multiple modules covering the procedures for spotting (including communication and spotter report criteria) and safety considerations for all hazards. You can choose to register as a SKYWARN Spotter with the National Weather Service (NWS) by using the checkbox that appears after you Enroll in the course. If you check the box, you may be able to register with the NWS after passing the course. These online course will be used as a supplemental training material for the spotter classes offered by the Northern Indiana NWS Offfice.	New Spotter Spotter Renewal Training Basic to Intermediate Level Time Required 1.5 to 3.5 hours
MetEd/UCAR/COMET:	Skywarn Convective Basics	Target Audience
	The "SKYWARN^® Spotter Convective Basics" module will guide users to a basic understanding of convective storms. Through three different scenarios, you will cover reporting and proper communication of local storm reports to the National Weather Service (NWS), personal safety during these events, and field identification of convective storm hazards. After completing the scenarios, you will be given the opportunity to practice identifying storm features from a spectrum of photos.	Skywarn Spotters Safety Decision Makers Spotter Renewal Training Basic to Intermediate Level Time Required 1.5 to 3.5 hours
Highly Recommended Courses
MetEd/UCAR/COMET:	Weather Radar Fundamentals	Target Audience
	This 2-hour module presents the fundamental principles of Doppler weather radar operation and how to interpret common weather phenomena using radar imagery. This is accomplished via conceptual animations and many interactive radar examples in which the user can practice interpreting both radar reflectivity and radar velocity imagery. Although intended as an accelerated introduction to understanding and using basic Doppler weather radar products, the module can also serve as an excellent refresher for more experienced users.	Skywarn Spotters Safety Decision Makers Spotter Renewal Training Intermediate Level Time Required 1.5 to 2.5 hours
MetEd/UCAR/COMET:	Anticipating Hazardous Weather and Community Risk	Target Audience
	Anticipating Hazardous Weather and Community Risk, 2nd Edition provides emergency managers and other decision makers with background information about weather, natural hazards, and preparedness. Additional topics include risk communication, human behavior, and effective warning partnerships, as well as a desktop exercise allowing the learner to practice the types of decisions required as hazardous situations unfold. This module offers web-based content designed to address topics covered in the multi-day Hazardous Weather and Flood Preparedness course offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS). The module also complements other onsite courses by those agencies and provides useful information for evaluating and preparing for threats from a range of weather and natural hazards.	Trained Spotters First Responders / Decision Makers Spotter Continued Training Intermediate Level Time Required 8.0 to 10.0 hours
Spotter Network:	https://www.spotternetwork.org/	Target Audience
	The Spotter Network brings storm spotters, storm chasers, coordinators and public servants together in a seamless network of information. It provides accurate position data of spotters and chasers for coordination/reporting and provides ground truth to public servants engaged in the protection of life and property. On this site, you will find a growing number of online courses that bring focus upon weather events that have the potential for causing disasters. These courses are were originally targeted towards first responders including fire fighters, emergency management, law enforcement, dispatchers, public works, and search and rescue personnel, but have since been recalibrated to fit the needs of the storm spotter and storm chasing community. The objective of our courses is to help demystify the ‘science’ of weather-vocabulary and present the participant with simplified processes by which hazardous weather events come about. These courses are offered in a visually rich manner in hopes that the participants will emerge with a practical knowledge of weather phenomena and appropriate methods to communicate severe weather reports	Spotters with interest in more advanced training Intermediate to Advanced Level Time Required 4 to 7 hours

These Spotter Training Course are part of an educational partnership with the NWS. Questions about the Spotter program need to be directed to Dustin Norman - Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at the Northern Indiana NWS office. For general information about the SKYWARN Spotter program, you can go to the following link: https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/

How does this fit into the Northern Indiana SKYWARN Spotter Training program?

These online course will be used as a supplemental training material for the spotter classes the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana provides in February and March.

Other Webpages and Resources

Northern Indiana Facebook Page

Northern Indiana NWS YouTube Channel

Indiana Michigan Ohio SKYWARN Facebook Page

IMO SKYWARN Website

Original Authored: Michael Lewis, WCM NWS Northern Indiana
Last Update: April 6, 2024