AUSTIN, Texas — As Central Texas gears up for the 2025 severe weather season, the National Weather Service is calling on Texans to help improve storm reports.
Accurate ground reports from regular people play a crucial role in meteorologists issuing warnings. That’s why the National Weather Service is inviting the public to take part in its storm spotter training.
“Spotter training has been around for decades,” Paul Yura, a meteorologist with the Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service office, said. “The reason for doing it is to get ground truth reports during severe thunderstorms, but even winter events too.”
According to Yura, ground-level hail sizes, flash flooding, funnel clouds, tornadoes and wind damage reports are all things they need to know about, especially in severe weather situations.
Yura said amateur radio operators used to be the backbone of the SKYWARN system, but with the shift in technology and cellphones, the public has been able to help the amount of reports available for meteorologists.
How to be a weather spotter
Training typically begins in the spring to coincide with the severe weather season. Some courses require people to register since some locations tend to have limited seating.
Basic SKYWARN training provides a basic overview of severe thunderstorms, formation and structure. After about 90 minutes, you will become an official spotter for the National Weather Service.
There’s also an advanced training which gives a more in-depth look at severe weather. Advanced sessions cover weather models, a complete review of severe weather ingredients and more. Only a few advanced sessions are offered every year.
To see when and where SKYWARN training will be offered, visit the National Weather Service’s local public training programs website and check the calendar. Trainings are free and open to the public and open to the public. You can also request a training be scheduled in your area for a specific group.
Here are the current trainings available:
- Feb. 18, 2025 – Basic SKYWARN training in Williamson County
- 6 to 8 p.m. at the Georgetown Library
- March 1, 2025 – Basic and Advanced SKYWARN training in the Austin area
- 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Edward’s University
- March 3, 2025 – Basic SKYWARN training in Bastrop County
- 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mike Fisher Building in Bastrop
- March 11, 2025 – Advanced SKYWARN training in Williamson County
- 6 to 8 p.m. at the Georgetown Library