SKYWARN is the National Weather Service's volunteer severe weather spotter program with 350,000-400,000 trained participants nationwide. Established in the 1970s, this volunteer network provides critical ground-truth weather observations that complement Doppler radar and satellite data to help meteorologists issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods.
The program offers free training (typically 2 hours) covering thunderstorm development, storm structure identification, severe weather recognition, reporting procedures, and safety protocols. Volunteers include emergency responders, utility workers, and concerned citizens who serve as the nation's first line of defense against severe weather. Training is available both through local National Weather Service offices and online programs, with schedules varying by region and season.
