National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

One of the most important assets to the NWS warning, forecast, and verification process is the SKYWARN^TM Spotter Network. NWS trained weather spotters provide real-time reports of tornadoes, hail, winds, flooding and hurricane damage. SKYWARN^TM spotters include Ham Radio operators, emergency responders and communication dispatchers, citizen groups and you! Please check the links below for upcoming SKYWARN spotter classes scheduled for your area. The classes are free, and all you need to do is show up (and RSVP if requested on the schedule, below).

Classes can also be scheduled for groups of 12 or more adults - all you need to do is provide a location and help advertise the class. To schedule a SKYWARN^TM class for your organization in the the NWS Melbourne Warning Area or for further information about the NWS Melbourne SKYWARN^TM Program, contact Warning Coordination Meteorologist Scott Spratt at: 800-683-4468 ext 223 or by email to: Scott.Spratt@noaa.gov

Two internet-based SKYWARN courses are also available and recommended. However, since these modules do not cover local aspects of east-central Florida severe weather, they will not count for NWS Melbourne spotter training. You must attend a formal class to become an official spotter for NWS Melbourne, and to obtain your spotter ID card.

SKYWARN SPOTTER CLASSES FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

SCHEDULE (PDF)      SCHEDULE (DOC)