[californiadisasters] SKYWARN Spotter Page

We are currently seeking volunteers to be SKYWARN Weather Spotters for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Sacramento. Weather Spotters act as the eyes of the National Weather Service, reporting severe weather to forecasters to improve warnings and forecasts. We are especially interested in people who live at higher elevations (2000 feet and above) and in rural areas. These areas have few spotters, while urban locations are generally well covered.

Spotter training classes are offered periodically at various locations in the area. The training is taught by National Weather Service forecasters and takes approximately 2 1/2 hours. The classes are generally offered on week-nights. We strongly encourage volunteers to attend these classes to become weather spotters.

The online Spotter Exam can be taken by those who wish to become weather spotters, when in-person training classes are not immediately available. It is recommended that volunteers take training classes when they are offered, for more comprehensive training in weather spotting. If you take the online exam, please review the educational resources first, including the Basic Spotter Guide. Additional information will be mailed after you pass the exam.

After becoming a spotter, please sign up for the E-Spotter program below. This allows information to be sent through the Internet. Please be aware that these reports will not immediately notify the forecasters, so they may not be seen until several days after the event. Telephone calls to our toll free number (available in spotter packages), should be used for urgent information. Less critical and timely information (for example, rainfall amounts less than half an inch, very small hail pellets) can be sent as E-Spotter reports.

Educational Resources for Weather Spotters

Spotter Training Information Download the Basic Spotter's Field Guide (pdf) Download the Advanced Spotter's Field Guide (pdf) Download the NOAA Cloud Chart (pdf) Hail Size Estimate Wind Chart Weather Safety Rules General Weather Terms Spotter Training Upcoming Spotter Training Sessions The National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento Weather Spotter training will enable interested adults to be become volunteers for Project SKYWARN™, which helps keep local communities safe by providing timelyand accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. The training is free. This training is co-sponsored by the County Office of Emergency Services. Eastern Shasta County - November 8th, 2010 from 6-8 pm at the Burney Fire Department 37072 Main St. in Burney. Western Plumas County - November 9th, 2010 from 7-930 pm at Plumas County Library 445 Jackson St. in Quincy. Sierra County - November 10th, 2010 from 6-730 pm at Downieville Community Hall 322 Main St. in Downieville. Take the Spotter Certification Exam Contact Us Additional Resources Sign-up for E-Spotter Severe Weather Awareness SKYWARN Recognition Day

Source: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sto/spotter/index.php

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