Go to your local National Weather Service website and scroll down till you find "SkyWarn Page" every N.W.S. has one,
there currently is three ways to become one and I will list them along with notes.
Note: All courses are Free.
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Attend an in-person training or participate in an online SKYWARN Webinar.
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Join the Spotter Network at http://SpotterNetwork.org
- Create a free account
- Take their SKYWARN Spotter online training and pass quiz to become a member
- Click on "Member Networks" in left hand menu, then join your Local N.W.S. By pressing clicking the Red X to make it Green, Send an email to a Meterogist after joining their Network and they will tell you how to get your Certificate, I believe this one is Advanced course?
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Take the MetEd SKYWARN Spotter online trainings above
- Click MetEd image above then create a free account
- Start training then check box in MetEd to notify local National Weather Service of your training.
- As a backup, Email your Certificate(s) to the Metergogist They have a list of people who have taken the training & passed on the 1st & 15th of every month. This is the easiest way.
Notes: You need to renew your training every 3 years and You may receive a card in either email or Mail with your Number and a phone number in case you see severe weather it covers everything from Tropical, Hail, Tornadoes, Waterspouts & also Flash Floods.
There are two courses the Basic & Advanced & the quizs are easy just Common-sense questions it's more like Multi-choice, I have been a SkyWarn Spotter for 12 years in Hudson FL, However since I moved to Tampa I would have to retake all courses.
Your reports help the NWS so much in Ground truth because if they are indicating say for example a Tornadic Thunderstorm and you see a Tornado you can call the number and provide the person with your ID Number on the card be sure to tell him/her which direction the Tornado or other severe weather is moving and at what speed, You can also estimate wind speeds as well.
