The northern Indiana office of the National Weather Service (NWS) has opened registration for online storm spotter classes for the spring, 2021 season. The office will teach no classes in person this spring. Click a class date below to register for that class. All four classes contain the same content, so you need attend only one.
- Saturday, March 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
- Wednesday, March 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET
- Wednesday, April 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET
- Wednesday, April 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET
Participation requirements
To participate in any of the online sessions above, a person must have:
- A computer or mobile device with internet access.
- An active email address
- Audio capability (either speakers and microphone connected to the device or a phone with which to dial in for the audio program).
- The ability to install GoToWebinar client software (a list of supported platforms appears on the GoToWebinar website).
Additional information
- Training is free to attend.
- Registration is limited to 150 per session.
- NWS prefers that people register as individuals, vs. groups.
- Registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail with the webinar link.
- Program length is approximately two hours, including a brief stretch break.
- This training is not county-specific
- Recommended participant age is 14 and older.
This training will teach new storm spotters what information the NWS needs to better issue timely severe weather warnings, how to visually distinguish dangerous weather phenomena from scary-looking but harmless lookalikes, and how to communicate needed reports to the NWS.
Allen County SKYWARN net manager Jay Farlow, W9LW, attends every year as a refresher course and recommends that other previously trained spotters do the same.