The National Weather Service-Duluth is offering over 20 free Skywarn Spotter Training Classes across the Northland this spring. Each class is free, and no weather background is necessary to attend.

Skywarn is a cooperative effort between the NWS, local emergency management, and private citizens who volunteer their time to attend a class and send their weather reports to the NWS.

These volunteers serve a vital need in the community by monitoring and reporting severe weather conditions to the NWS. The NWS uses these reports to help deliver accurate and timely severe weather warnings.

Spotter classes answer questions about thunderstorm safety, the science of thunderstorms, spotting different types of cloud formations, and how to send reports to the NWS. Attendees are encouraged to bring their weather questions to the NWS meteorologists teaching the class.

Classes this spring are a mix of over 20 in-person classes located across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin and online virtual classes. There are a variety of days and times available to accommodate different schedules.

Each class is completely free and lasts about an hour and a half. Classes are taught by the meteorologists who issue the Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, Flash Flood, and other warnings for communities across the Northland.

Skywarn Spotter Training Schedule:

• Tuesday, April 8: Ball Club, MN, 5-7 pm at Lone Eagle Community Center (30975 Arctic Rd, Deer River, MN, 56636)
• Wednesday, April 9: Spooner, WI, 6-8 pm at Spooner Fire Administration Building (1407 N Front St, Spooner, WI 54801)
• Thursday, April 10: Duluth, MN, 6:30-8:30 pm at First United Methodist Church (Coppertop Church, 230 E Skyline Pkwy, Duluth, MN 55811)
• Monday, April 14: Hawthorne, WI, 6-8 pm at 7417 County Road E, Solon Springs, WI 54873
• Monday, April 14: Virtual Basic, 6:30-8:30 pm
• Tuesday, April 15: Phillips, WI, 2:30-4:30 pm and 6-8 pm at Courthouse County Board Room 101 (126 Cherry St, Phillips, WI 54555)
• Wednesday, April 16: McGregor, MN, 6-8 pm at McGregor Fire Department (253 Co Hwy 8, McGregor, MN 55760)
• Thursday, April 17: Grand Rapids, MN, 6-8 pm at Itasca County Emergency Operations Center (1500 7th Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MN 55744)
• Monday, April 21: Hinckley, MN, 6-8 pm at Grand Casino Ballroom (777 Lady Luck Drive, Hinckley, MN 55037)
• Tuesday, April 22: Virtual Basic, 1-3 pm
• Tuesday, April 22: Hayward, WI, 6-8 pm at Assembly Room (10610 Main St, Hayward, WI 54843)
• Wednesday, April 23: Virtual Basic, 10 am to noon
• Wednesday, April 23: Remer, MN, 6-8 pm at Remer School (403 Main St E, Remer, MN 56672)
• Thursday, April 24: Mellen, WI, 6-8 pm at Morse Town Hall (402 2nd Ave, Mellen, WI 54546)
• Tuesday, April 29: Cloquet, MN, 6:30-8:30 pm at Government Services Building (1307 Cloquet Ave, Cloquet, MN 55720)
• Friday, May 2: Grand Marais, MN, 5-7 pm at Cook County Community Center (317 W 5th St, Grand Marais, MN 55604)
• Tuesday, May 6: Brainerd, MN, 3-5 pm and 6-8 pm at Land Services Building lower level meeting room (322 Laurel St, Brainerd, MN 56401)
• Wednesday, May 7: Virtual Advanced, 11 am to 1 pm
• Wednesday, May 7: Hermantown, MN, 6-8 pm at Hermantown Community Education (4289 Ugstad Rd, Hermantown, MN 55811)
• Tuesday, May 20: Virtual Advanced, 6:30-8:30 pm

Spotters are asked to attend a class every 3-4 years to remain proficient. More information can be found at weather.gov/dlh/skywarn.