FAQs

On this page, we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive through e-mail and on our Social Media pages. Have a question that isn't addressed here? Reach out to us on our Social Media pages in the menu, or e-mail us at inquiry@skywarn.us.

Question: How can I become a certified SKYWARN storm spotter?

Answer: We really appreciate your interest in becoming a certified SKYWARN storm spotter. Please check out our very latest training offerings on our Training page. Usually, storm spotter training is offered in late Winter and early Spring.

Question: How often must I renew my training in order to be a Certified Storm Spotter?

Answer: While we recommend having refresher training courses every year, you must have completed a SKYWARN training session in the last two years in order to be considered certified.

Question: But I thought I needed an Amateur Radio license to become a member of a SKYWARN group?

Answer: Amateur Radio operators have long been a part of SKYWARN, and spotters who were hams have kept the program alive for decades with their communications equipment and training. Now, with more people having access to mobile Internet and cellular phones, there are more opportunities to contribute to SKYWARN! With our Slack communications platform, spotters can not only send audio clips similar to hams, but can also send text and video messages to our dispatch center. The National Weather Service has a compatible Slack platform, which ingests information from dispatch centers of dozens of Skywarn groups across the state. Having an Amateur Radio license is absolutely not a requirement for today's SKYWARN program.

Question: Chasing storms seems dangerous. Who is responsible for my safety?

Answer: Spotting is NOT chasing. In fact, unless you have many, many years of experience and formalized education in meteorology, we don't recommend you chase storms. As a local spotter, we want to know what you are seeing, from wherever you are most comfortable being. You are ALWAYS responsible for your own safety, and we encourage you NEVER to put yourself in a situation where you feel uneasy.

Question: How is Rice County Skywarn affiliated with Rice County?

Answer: Since 1976, Rice County Skywarn has worked very closely with the Twin Cities National Weather Service Office and the Rice County Sheriff's Department to provide "ground truth" when severe storms strike. SKYWARN is a national volunteer program established by the National Weather Service in 1965. Rice County Skywarn relays pertinent weather information directly to both the National Weather Service and Rice County to enable them to make informed decisions. We value our working relationship with both groups, however both are independent from Rice County Skywarn and do not oversee or supervise our operations.

Question: What is an example of a great severe storm report?

Answer: You should always give the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE each time you give a report. A report is meaningless without knowing where you are, where you are looking, and specific information on what you are seeing.

Consider a report like the following:

"This is Jeff, and I'm a certified spotter. I'm at the intersection of County Road 10 and County Road 38. I'm looking to my northwest and I can see a rotating wall cloud about a mile and a half of my location."

"This is Jeff, and I'm a certified spotter. I'm at the intersection of State Highway 60 and Jackson Avenue. I have nickel-sized hail falling at my present location, and has been occurring for the last minute. I don't see any obvious damage."