SKYWARN Storm Spotter Trainings Return In Person

Storm Spotter Trainings are back in person this year after being held virtually due to COVID. 

It's a sign that spring, and severe weather, is just around the corner.

The National Weather Service hosts these SKYWARN trainings every year to teach people how to report severe weather information.

Spotters will learn about hail, flooding, tornadoes, lightning, wall clouds, funnel clouds and how to report weather information to the NWS.

Rick Smith, the warning coordination Meteorologist for the NWS Norman office, said this information is crucial to keeping Oklahomans safe by improving warnings and helping to activate sirens in a timely manner.

"You would think in 2022, with all the technology and all the radars we have, that radars would see everything. Well, they just can't no matter how good the radar is. So, storm spotters looking at things really helps supplement that radar data."

Smith encourages anyone who loves weather to participate in the class.

There's no obligation to become a spotter after you complete the training.

The classes are free and open to all ages.

They have both in-person and virtual trainings available.

For more information on a class near you, click here.