Weather Spotter Class – Basic (Public Invited)

The National Weather Service relies on trained volunteers to supplement Doppler radar information on severe storms and tornadoes. These dedicated individuals volunteer many hours of their time to learn about and detect severe weather.
Their valuable cooperation is important in the warning process. Weather reports from trained spotters are used along with Doppler radar data to issue warnings of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods.

NOTE: This training schedule is subject to change. Please call the appropriate contact person for details, including any last-minute changes or cancellation due to inclement weather etc. The spotter training program is coordinated by Christine Wielgos, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the NWS Paducah office – 270-744-6440 ext. 726 or
Christine.Wielgos@noaa.gov.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH SPOTTER PROGRAM:

• Most spotter training is conducted in February and March, in preparation for peak severe weather season.
  A second spotter training season is conducted in September and October. There may be specialized webinar classes
  conducted at other times of the year.
• These classes are free of charge and are open to anyone who has an interest in severe weather and/or public service.
  The objective of the training is to provide the knowledge to identify and report key severe weather features.
• The classes contain photos/videos of recent violent tornadoes, storm damage, flash floods, hailstorms, and downbursts.
• The staple “Basic Storm Spotter” class is about 2 hours in length. The “Elite Spotter Workshop” is 3 to 4 hours in length
  and is conducted in April.  All materials are provided, and a certificate of completion will be given at the end of each class.
• Media outlets across the region are encouraged to announce classes in their coverage area.
• For more details on spotter training classes in southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana or western
  Kentucky, you may email Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christine Wielgos – Christine.Wielgos@noaa.gov

ON-SITE SPOTTER TRAINING CLASSES

IMPORTANT: Registration is REQUIRED to attend on-site classes (Basic and Elite).
Please fill out this google form to register for any of the classes listed below: