Bismarck NWS Information

What is SKYWARN®?

SKYWARN® is a National Weather Service (NWS) program of trained volunteer severe weather observers. Weather spotters support their local community and emergency responders by providing the NWS with timely and accurate ground truth reports of severe weather and its impacts. These reports, when integrated with modern NWS technology, are used to inform communities of the proper actions to take when severe weather occurs. The key focus of the SKYWARN® program is to save lives and property through the use of the observations and reports of trained volunteers. Additional information on the program is available on the NWS SKYWARN® Page.

How do I get involved?

Free SKYWARN® spotter training is available online through the MetEd COMET Program. Please note that there is a checkbox to tick after enrolling in the course. That will ensure the NWS receives notice that you have completed the training.

Occasional in-person spotter classes are taught around Western Washington. These classes are typically organized through local emergency management or volunteer organizations. When a public course is available, a headline will be posted on our homepage and the calendar below will be updated.

Further reading is available in the Basic Spotters’ Field Guide and the Advanced Spotters’ Field Guide.