Spotter Training Information

Spotter Training for the CSWN STARS Team is handled by National Weather Service Employees. A number of classes are scheduled each year, mostly in the spring. Classes are two to three hours long and the training is good for three years, at which point Spotters must take current training to re-certify for another three years. Both Basic and Advanced Spotter training is available.

Basic Spotter training is the minimum requirement for SKYWARN Spotters and covers the basics of severe weather identification and reporting. Advanced Spotter training covers more advanced topics such as radars, severe weather climatology, and weather science topics.

Either Basic or Advanced Spotter training may be used for three-year re-certification. Basic training is a pre-requisite for Advanced training.

Grand Junction Spotter class schedule and registration.

Boulder Spotter class schedule and registration.

Goodland Spotter class schedule and registration.

Pueblo Spotter class schedule and registration.

Cheyenne Spotter class schedule and registration.

Salt Lake City Spotter class schedule and registration.

North Platte Spotter class schedule and registration.

Basic Spotter Field Guide

Training Guides and Reference Materials

• Basic SKYWARN Spotter Presentation
• Basic Spotter's Field Guide
• Advanced SKYWARN Spotter Presentation
• Sky Watcher's Cloud Chart
• Advanced Spotter's Field Guide
• Snow Measurement Guidelines

Additional Online Training Opportunities

A classroom training session by NWS employees is the preferred training method. In the event that transportation, accessibility, or scheduling issues prevent attendance in a classroom or scheduled online session, the following self-paced online training is an acceptable alternative to Basic Spotter training. Both courses must be completed for credit.

• COMET: Role of the SKYWARN Spotter
• COMET: SKYWARN Convective Basics

When taking these online courses for initial training or re-certification, be sure to select the option to notify your local NWS office of course completion so that your Spotter training record may be updated.

SKYWARN^® Training

Scroll through the Training to learn about the SKYWARN^® Program and how you can contribute.