We offer several online and in-person classes throughout the year, typically in the late fall and early spring months. To schedule a LOCAL Basic SkyWarn Storm Spotter class in your area, please contact your county Emergency Management Office.
LATEST NEWS (October 2024):
LOCAL SKYWARN REMINDERS:
How to Attend an ONLINE SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class
To avoid being hurried, give yourself at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the class to complete the following steps:
1. Click on your class of choice on the Google Calendar at the top of this webpage.
2. When you click on the class, a registration link will be listed in the description of the class.
3. Select the 'Join Webinar' button on the registration page or in your confirmation/reminder emails and follow the prompts.
4. Enjoy the class!
Course Descriptions
- BASIC SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class
- This is the introductory course that describes the basic forms of severe weather, what NWS SkyWarn spotters do, basic spotting techniques, how to give reports to NWS Mobile/Pensacola and basic storm safety.
- Prerequisite: None. See below for suggestions on additional courses
- Lasts approximately 1.5 - 2 hours
- ADVANCED SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class
- This course covers (in greater detail) storm structure, tornadogenesis, basic parameters NWS meteorologists look for to determine severe storm potential and basic radar meteorology.
- Prerequisite: We request that attendees first take the Basic SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class to have a basic foundation for the more advanced topics covered in this course.
- Lasts approximately 1.5 hours
- ONLINE SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class
- This course currently covers the same topics as the in-person Basic SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class.
- Individuals can watch and listen to this course from the comfort of their home or office. More details on how to register and join these classes can be found in the section above.
- This course allows interaction with the meteorologist leading the class - You can use the built-in chat feature to ask questions during and after the class.
- Prerequisite: None. See below for suggestions on additional courses
- Lasts approximately 2 hours
- ⭐NWS Mobile/Pensacola SkyWarn Storm Spotter Form - Fill out this form after taking the class
- TROPICAL Town Hall
- Opportunity for the public to come and learn about the potential impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes and how they can best prepare. You will be able to interact with local officials and NWS Mobile. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions!
- Lasts approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Additional SkyWarn Learning Material
Here are two FREE online training classes (offered nationally) that are good to take prior to the in-person or online Basic SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class. It is not a requirement to take these online courses.
Role of the SkyWarn Spotter
This online class will provide baseline training for all spotters using multiple scenarios covering the procedures for storm spotting, safety considerations, and an overview/history of the national program.
SkyWarn Spotter Convective Basics
This online class will provide a basic understanding of convective storms using multiple scenarios covering reporting and proper communication of reports to the NWS, personal safety, and field identification of convective storm hazards.
Related SkyWarn Links
- Want to re-read throught the materials from a recent class?
View: 2023 SkyWarn Storm Spotter Presentation
- NWS Mobile/Pensacola SkyWarn Page
- SkyWarn Spotter's Field Guide (26.58 MB)
- SkyWarn Online Training Modules by COMET - MetEd
- NWS Jetstream - An Online School for Weather
- NOAA - NWS Thunderstorm Safety Booklet (13.9 MB)
- NOAA - NWS Lightning Safety Brochure (565.5 KB)
- NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio Brochure (2.61 MB)
- NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio Transmitter Map
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