Nws - Skywarn

Department of Commerce · National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration · National Weather Service

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INSTRUCTION 10-1807
AUGUST 17, 2022
Operations and Services
Service Outreach NWSPD 10-18
THE SKYWARN® WEATHER SPOTTER PROGRAM
NOTICE: This publication is available at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/.
OPR: W/AFS12 (D. Hilderbrand)
Type of Issuance: Routine

Certified by: W/AFS1 (M. Tew)

SUMMARY OF REVISIONS: This directive supersedes NWSI 10-1807, The SKYWARN
Weather Spotter Program, dated September 28, 2017. This revision was made to reflect the
latest agency priorities of external engagement to build a Weather-Ready Nation. Specific
changes include:






Removed appendices A, B, D, and E. The information contained in these appendices
can be found on the SKYWARN program website
https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN
Connected SKYWARN to local Integrated Warning Teams (IWTs)
Clarified appropriate authorities and responsibilities.
Updated SKYWARN Weather Spotter Safety information.
Updated the different ways to provide SKYWARN reports.

signed by
ALLEN.ALLISO Digitally
ALLEN.ALLISON.L.1365831072
Date:
2022.08.03
12:25:55 -04'00'
N.L.1365831072

Allison Allen
Director
Analyze, Forecast, and Support Office

August 3, 2022
Date

NWSI 10-1807 AUGUST 17, 2022
The SKYWARN Weather Spotter Program
Table of Contents:

Page

1. The SKYWARN Weather Spotter Program Objective ....…………………………..…............ 2
2. Authorities and Responsibilities ................................................................................................ 3
2.1 Weather Forecast Offices ………....…………………………………….............….… 3
2.1.1 Warning Coordination Meteorologists .......................................................... 3
2.1.2 SKYWARN Weather Spotter Training ......................................................... 3
2.1.3 SKYWARN Weather Spotter Reporting ....................................................... 4
2.2 Regional Headquarters ..…………………………………...……………………......... 5
2.3 National Weather Service Headquarters - Analyze, Forecast, and Support
Office............................................................................................................................ 5
2.3.1 AFS Decision Support Integration Branch .................................................... 5
2.3.2 Office of the Chief Learning Officer ............................................................. 6
2.4 SKYWARN Weather Spotter Safety ............................................................................ 6
2.5 Reporting of False Spotter Reports ............................................................................... 6
2.6 American Radio Relay League ..................................................................................... 7
2.6.1 SKYWARN Recognition Day ....................................................................... 7
2.7 Spotter Network.org ……………………………………….......................................... 7
2.8 Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network ........................................... 7
2.9 SKYWARN Branding Terms of Use ............................................................................ 7
APPENDIX A – SKYWARN Weather Spotter Program Reporting ..........................................A-1
APPENDIX B – SKYWARN Branding Terms of Use ...............................................................B-1

1.

The SKYWARN® Weather Spotter Program Objective

SKYWARN® (https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/) is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Weather Service (NWS) program that was formally
established in the late 1960s. It consists of over 300,000 trained volunteer spotters who provide
reports of weather and flooding to help meteorologists and hydrologists make life-saving
warning decisions. Spotters are trained volunteers who provide timely reports of hazardous
weather events that impact their communities (e.g., amateur radio operators, emergency
management and public safety officials, cooperative network (COOP) observers, Community
Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHs) observers, and other interested
individuals). Although NWS uses data from radar, satellite, and other observing systems,
technology cannot detect every instance of hazardous weather and flooding. SKYWARN spotter

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NWSI 10-1807 AUGUST 17, 2022
reports provide vital “ground truth” that helps NWS meteorologists issue timely, accurate, and
detailed warnings. Their reports can confirm hazardous weather and flooding detected by NWS
technologies and enhance the situational awareness of the entire Integrated Warning Team—
defined as “a local or state-level team that consists of emergency management, broadcast media
core partners, and the NWS – a team that shares the common goal and responsibility of
improving the warning system and reducing fatalities, injuries and property damage due to
natural hazards.” Spotters also provide critical verification information that supports our
Nation’s Disaster Declarations process and improves warning services. An effective SKYWARN
Weather Spotter program assists the NWS to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property
and enhancing our Nation’s economy.
2.

Authorities and Responsibilities

2.1

Weather Forecast Offices

2.1.1 Warning Coordination Meteorologists
It is the responsibility of each Weather Forecast Office’s (WFO’s) Warning Coordination
Meteorologist (WCM) or an office’s designee, as overseen by the Meteorologist-in-Charge
(MIC), to implement, manage and administer the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program within
their County Warning Area (CWA). MICs and WCMs are encouraged to enlist the support of
other WFO staff in the implementation of the SKYWARN program. Responsibilities include the
following:


Conducting SKYWARN Weather Spotter training across their area of responsibility
including an emphasis engaging socially vulnerable communities. For example, engaging
communities in the high vulnerability category as defined by the Centers for Disease
Control (https://svi.cdc.gov/map.html).



Ensuring that SKYWARN Weather Spotter reporting effectively supports local warning
operations including the Integrated Warning Team’s situational awareness and the NWS
verification and Storm Data programs.



Mentoring and training WFO staff in the local SKYWARN Weather Spotter program.



Promoting the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program including maintaining a local website presence.



Implementing service improvements to the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program.



Working with local Amateur Radio Service operators as needed in relation to the
SKYWARN Weather Spotter program and Section 8.2 of NWS Instruction (NWSI) 101704.



Reporting SKYWARN Weather Spotter activities through the NWS Outreach and
Education Event System as per NWSI 10-1804.

2.1.2 SKYWARN Weather Spotter Training
As of this instruction’s effective date, there is no national training standard. NWS offices should
use various means to provide SKYWARN Weather Spotter training, including capitalizing on

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NWSI 10-1807 AUGUST 17, 2022
emerging technologies (e.g., virtual reality). These can include the following:


Classroom training: The local WCM or designee can personally organize and conduct
SKYWARN Weather Spotter classes.



Train-the-trainer: The local WCM has the authority to designate willing and
knowledgeable WFO staff, emergency managers, public safety officials, training
professionals, non-NWS meteorologists or SKYWARN Weather Spotters to serve as
proxy.



Website-based training: The local WCM has the authority to create and utilize a websitebased training solution.



Virtual training: The local WCM has the authority to conduct SKYWARN Weather
Spotter training remotely through a virtual means, such as video conferencing or
webinars.



Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET®)
modules: The local WCM has the authority to accept the existing COMET® modules
(www.meted.ucar.edu/training_course.php?id=23), the “Role of the SKYWARN Spotter”
and “SKYWARN Convective Basics” alone, in combination with local training, or as
optional, pre-study materials for local training. Note: it is important for WCMs to clarify
their local approach to the COMET modules on the SKYWARN Weather Spotter section
of the WFO web-site.

Mixed training solutions are encouraged to maximize participation in the SKYWARN Weather
Spotter program. The goal should be to make the local SKYWARN Weather Spotter Program
training as useful as possible to the local WFO warning program and to the local Integrated
Warning Team’s situational awareness.
The local WCMs have the authority to determine the appropriate training curriculum, methods,
and recognition process used in their CWA.
2.1.3 SKYWARN Weather Spotter Reporting
The local WCM (or designee) has the authority to determine the appropriate SKYWARN
Weather Spotter reporting criteria and methods that are utilized in their CWA, except as directed
and supported by the Regional Headquarters (i.e., to standardize reporting methods and
software). Consistent and current reporting instructions should be provided to all trained
SKYWARN Weather Spotters. Multiple reporting methods are encouraged to maximize
participation in the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program. The goal should be to make the local
SKYWARN Weather Spotter Program reporting as useful as possible to the local WFO warning
program and to the local Integrated Warning Team’s situational awareness. The WFO should
ensure that all reports are quality controlled for accuracy.
APPENDIX A outlines the advantages and disadvantages of most SKYWARN Weather Spotter
program reporting methods.

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2.2

Regional Headquarters

Each Regional Director will designate a person on their staff, usually the Regional WCM, to
manage the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program within the region. The duties performed by
the Regional SKYWARN Weather Spotter program managers include the following:


Coordinating SKYWARN Weather Spotter programmatic, budgetary and policy issues
with NWS Headquarters on behalf of their region’s WFOs/WCMs.



Directing and overseeing service improvements to the SKYWARN Weather Spotter
program.



When available, managing the regional budget and other resources for the SKYWARN
Weather Spotter program.



Promoting the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program.



As necessary, developing and maintaining regional supplements to this directive.



Supporting their region’s local WFOs/WCMs in administering the program.

SKYWARN Weather Spotter reports are often used in the Significant Event Reporting
conducted by Regional Operations Centers to the NWS Operations Center. Other regional
headquarters’ functions support the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program in areas such as
training, observation/data collection, verification, procurement, and system operations.
2.3

National Weather Service Headquarters - Analyze, Forecast and Support Office

The National Weather Service Headquarters’ (NWSH) Analyze, Forecast and Support Office
(AFS) is responsible for a variety of activities supporting the SKYWARN Weather Spotter
program. SKYWARN Weather Spotter program management responsibilities within AFS are
managed by the Decision Support Integration Branch.
2.3.1

AFS Decision Support Integration Branch

It is the responsibility of the Preparedness and Resilience Program Lead within the AFS Decision
Support Integration Branch (DSIB) to manage the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program on a
national basis. This includes the following:


Coordinating SKYWARN Weather Spotter programmatic, budgetary, and policy issues
within NWSH on behalf of our Regional Headquarters and our local offices.



Directing and overseeing service improvements to the SKYWARN Weather Spotter
program.



When available, managing the national budget and other resources for the SKYWARN
Weather Spotter program.



Promoting the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program.



Serving as the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this procedural directive.



As necessary, developing and maintaining memorandum of understanding or
memorandum of agreement with national partners.

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NWSI 10-1807 AUGUST 17, 2022


Manage the status (renewal) of the SKYWARN copyright.

The AFS DSIB manages national resources, such as the “Weather Spotter’s Field Guide,” and
works to ensure this and other tools are available for use by the Regional Headquarters and our
local offices. Other NWSH functions support the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program in areas,
such as training, observation/data collection, verification, procurement, and system operations.
2.3.2

Office of the Chief Learning Officer

The Office of the Chief Learning Officer (OCLO) supports the SKYWARN Weather Spotter
program by overseeing the annual process of allocating training resources for NWS science,
operations, and services. Three of the OCLO’s divisions (Decision Support and Communications
Services Division, Warning Decision Training Division, and the Forecast Decision Training
Division) provide instructional resources covering the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program.
The OCLO also manages the grant supporting COMET, which provides instructional resources
focused on the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program. Coordination occurs with COMET to
ensure the development and provision of SKYWARN Weather Spotter training materials meet
the needs and requirements of the Regional Headquarters and local WFOs/WCMs.
2.4

SKYWARN Weather Spotter Safety

Safety is the top priority for the SKYWARN Weather Spotter program. The NWS does not
encourage its SKYWARN weather spotters to engage in storm chasing. However, the NWS does
recognize that SKYWARN spotters, engaged in mobile activities, may encounter severe weather
and should be alert to rapidly changing weather conditions that could impact their personal
safety. All SKYWARN spotter training should include instruction that safety is the top priority;
spotters should never put themselves in harm’s way and should obey all federal, state, and local
laws and directives from public safety officials. Specific safety content can be found on the
SKYWARN website, including:


Personal safety is the primary objective of every spotter. Never put yourself in harm’s
way. This includes attempting to walk or drive over obstructions such as flooded
roadways and downed power lines, and positioning yourself under objects that have a
potential to fall or be blown over due to severe weather.



Always obey federal, state, and local laws and directives from public safety officials.

Note: A non-paid volunteer observer engaged in observation work may be considered as having
employee coverage under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). Final
determination as to eligibility and extent of coverage rests with the Office of Workers
Compensation Programs, which administers FECA. Any spotter injured while providing
observational duties should notify their local NWS office. The local NWS office and their
regional headquarters should work with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for
resolution. Refer to NWSI 10-1310 for more detail. Legal assistance in these matters can be
obtained from the General Litigation Division of the Department of Commerce (DOC) Office of
General Counsel.
2.5

Reporting of False Weather Spotter Reports

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Instances of false weather spotter reports that significantly impact a WFO’s life saving warning
operations should be reported by the local WCM/MIC to Regional Headquarters and the
National WCM. It is the responsibility of the National WCM to archive these instances. When
appropriate, AFS can coordinate potential legal support from the Weather, Satellites, and
Research Section of the NOAA Office of General Counsel.
2.6

American Radio Relay League

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL – www.arrl.org) is a noncommercial membership
organization of radio amateurs, organized for the promotion of interest in Amateur Radio. The
NWS may work with ARRL Section Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers at the local
level to establish SKYWARN radio networks, and/or other specialized weather emergency alert
and relief systems. These local SKYWARN radio organizations act as communicators and
spotters when severe weather and other disasters strike. The working partnership between the
NWS and the ARRL is formally documented through a Memorandum of Understanding (posted
on SKYWARN website). NWS WCMs, or their designees, are responsible for maintaining this
working partnership with the local Amateur Radio SKYWARN volunteers (if applicable).
2.6.1 SKYWARN Recognition Day
SKYWARN Recognition Day (https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition) was
developed in 1999 by the NWS and the ARRL. It celebrates the contributions that volunteer
SKYWARN spotters make to our nation’s weather warning system. NWS WCMs or their
designees are encouraged to conduct SKYWARN Recognition Day for their CWA. NWS offices
may use social media and other outreach efforts to recognize and engage local SKYWARN
spotters.
2.7

Spotter Network

As appropriate, local WCMs are encouraged to integrate Spotter Network reports into their
office’s operations. Reporting Spotter Network (http://www.spotternetwork.org) members have
completed training and provide NWS offices with invaluable data for warning decision-making.
The working partnership between the NWS and the Spotter Network is formally documented
through a Memorandum of Understanding (posted on SKYWARN website).
2.8

Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network

As appropriate, local WCMs are encouraged to integrate the CoCoRaHS into their local
SKYWARN Weather Spotter program. CoCoRaHS (www.cocorahs.org) is a unique non-profit,
community-based network that works to accurately measure and map precipitation: rain, hail,
and snow. NOAA is one of the sponsors of the CoCoRaHS program.
2.9
SKYWARN Branding Terms of Use
The General Law Division of the DOC Office of General Counsel provides legal support for
SKYWARN branding issues. Appendix B states the terms of use for NWS’s SKYWARN
Weather Spotter program branding.

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APPENDIX A – SKYWARN Weather Spotter Program Reporting
Method

NWS Chat

Telephone

Texting (via office cell phone)

Advantages

●

Real-time two-way
communication.

●

Great situational
awareness tool.

●

Direct communication.

●

Immediate contact with
NWS.

●

Direct communication.

●

Immediate contact with
NWS.

●

Reduced telephone traffic.

Limitations
●

Need an account.

●

Participation limited by
Terms of Use -- see
www.nws.noaa.gov/directi
ves/sym/pd01017022curr.p
df.

●

Requires Internet
connection.

●

Telephone traffic due to
numerous reports.

●

Have to find the local
NWS WFO telephone
number or create a
dedicated spotter line.

●

Cell phone coverage
limitations.

●

Office needs a dedicated
cell phone to receive texts.

●

Restriction of phone
number to just spotters
(and potential for sharing
of number).

●

Must be licensed radio
operator.

●

Direct communication.

Amateur Radio

●

Immediate contact with
NWS.

●

A severe weather net may
not be operational during
smaller events.

Internet - Local WFO Webbased Form

●

Reports received by NWS
quickly.

●

Requires Internet
connection.

●

Requires Internet
connection.

●

Must take online training.

●

Not all WFOs have their
AWIPS systems set up to
receive these reports.

Internet - Spotter Network.org

●

Report received by NWS
quickly.

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NWSI 10-1807 AUGUST 17, 2022

●

Internet – email
●

●

●

Social Media (e.g., Facebook,
Twitter)
Local office account

●

●

●
Observation Reporting Apps
(e.g., mPING)
CoCoRaHS - Community
Collaborative Rain, Hail and
Snow program
(www.cocorahs.org)

●
●

Allows for web links,
photographs, and videos to
be sent.
Allows for detailed
description.

Quick dissemination of
information to a wide
audience.
Mobile phone apps or
computer.
Allows for web links,
photographs, and videos to
be sent.
NWS offices can data
mine for commonly used
hashtags (e.g., #snow,
#wind, #orwx) and
geotagged searches.
Great for high volume
events.
Popular technology.
Snow, hail and heavy
rainfall information is
automatically sent to the
NWS.

●

During events, the NWS
may not be monitoring
email.

●

Better for sending photos,
web links, and videos after
an event occurs.

●

Not all offices support this
capability.

●

Mobile phone app requires
a data phone.
Have to use the proper
format to have the data
seen by NWS.
Requires internet
connection.
May not be monitored in
real-time.
Not all offices support this
capability.

●

●
●
●

●

Requires app download.

●

Mobile phone app requires
a data phone.

●

Have to be a CoCoRaHS
observer.

Table Credit: COMET®

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NWSI 10-1807 AUGUST 17, 2022
APPENDIX B – SKYWARN Branding Terms of Use
The SKYWARN® Service Marks
The SKYWARN® program is nationally known through its two primary
service marks (hereinafter the ‘marks’) which are the word mark
SKYWARN®, and the logo, which depicts a tornado within an orange,
eye-shaped design, shown to the right. The term “SKYWARN” may or
may not appear within the lower portion of the logo. NOAA holds
federal service marks to protect its exclusive rights in these marks with
the United States Patent and Trademark Office. These marks represent
the cumulative goodwill earned through the valiant and dedicated efforts
of SKYWARN® volunteer spotters since the late 1960s.
Use of the SKYWARN® Service Marks by Third Parties
NOAA/NWS retain the exclusive right to determine how and where these SKYWARN® marks
are used, and reserves the right to control the quality of their use. All use of the marks shall inure
to the sole and exclusive benefit of NOAA/NWS. Generally, permission is granted for the use of
these marks, without further written agreement, when used in direct connection with, or in direct
support of, the volunteer SKYWARN programs in each of the NOAA/NWS’ WFOs.
NOAA requests that any prominent use of the term SKYWARN, or the SKYWARN logo, be
accompanied by the ® symbol to the upper right of the mark, or in the lower right of the logo,
along with a notice at the bottom of the page, reading as follows:
“SKYWARN® and the SKYWARN® logo are registered trademarks of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”
Each WCM is granted the authority to determine the appropriate usage of the marks by Local
Volunteer Organizations in connection with each respective program, subject to reasonable
oversight from the NOAA/NWS chain of command.
The marks may be used on clothing, hats, badges, decals, signs, and other paraphernalia used by
SKYWARN® spotters to identify them as affiliated with the NOAA/NWS SKYWARN®
program. NOAA will permit text being added to the SKYWARN® logo to brand local Volunteer
SKYWARN Programs. For example, a particular vendor might want to create hats and t-shirts
with the text "Wakefield SKYWARN Spotter Network" or "SKYWARN NWS Wakefield" on or
around the logo. NOAA reserves the right to contest any branding use of the “SKYWARN”
name and logo, should it be done in bad faith.
This limited permission is conditioned on all elements and entities involved in the use of the
marks being of a high quality and acting in lawful and professional manners, and are subject to
the quality review by NOAA/NWS. Any person or entity using the marks hereby agrees to
immediately stop using the marks should NOAA/NWS, in their sole discretion, determine for
any reason that the use of the marks is not in the best interests of the SKYWARN® program.
NOAA will permit limited use of the term SKYWARN® within Internet domain names to be
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NWSI 10-1807 AUGUST 17, 2022
registered and used by Volunteer SKYWARN Programs. For example, a particular town or
county might register "JohnsonCountySKYWARN.org" or "GreenvilleSKYWARN.org," and
maintain an online presence/community that furthers the mission of the respective program, as
well as the SKYWARN® program. However, NOAA reserves the right to contest any such
domain name containing the name “SKYWARN,” should the registrant use the domain in bad
faith.
NOAA does not permit the registration of any trademarks, trade names, or other attempts to
"own" any name in which "SKYWARN" is a component. NOAA considers any attempt to do so
as an infringement of its trademark rights, and will contest the effort in the appropriate venue.
The marks may not be used in any manner that is inconsistent with the purposes and goals of the
SKYWARN® program. These rules are subject to change at any time for any reason in the sole
and exclusive discretion of NOAA/NWS.

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