Weather spotter classes offered

The National Weather Service in Duluth is hosting free in-person and online Skywarn Spotter training classes in the region this spring. Skywarn is a cooperative effort between the NWS, local emergency management, and residents who volunteer to attend free classes and send weather reports to the NWS. Volunteers who commit to attending serve a vital need for the NWS by monitoring and reporting severe weather conditions. The reports help the NWS deliver accurate and timely severe weather warnings.

No weather background is necessary to attend a class, which will answer questions about thunderstorm safety, the science of thunderstorms, spotting different types of cloud formations and how spotters can get their reports to the National Weather Service.

Classes are free and last about 90 minutes. Instructors include meteorologists who issue the severe thunderstorm, tornado, flash flood and other warnings for communities across the region.

A session is scheduled in Cloquet for April 25 at the Carlton Government Services building on Cloquet Avenue at 14th Street. There are also in-person sessions in Duluth (April 11) and Hermantown (May 15.) There will be online sessions on April 8, April 24, May 2, May 6 and May 7. for more information, visit weather.gov/dlh/skywarn.