Become A Wisconsin Weather Observer Or Spotter - Spectrum News

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WEATHER ALERTView full list of active weather alerts CLOSINGS ALERTView full list of closings Weather-lovers needed! Become a part of the action in Wisconsin BY Meteorologist Jesse Gunkel Wisconsin PUBLISHED 1:28 PM ET Mar. 29, 2022 PUBLISHED 1:28 PM EDT Mar. 29, 2022 SHARE

Do you have an interest in weather and want to learn more about storms? Do you have a fear of storms and want to help ease that fear? Would you like to make an important contribution to improve local forecasts and potentially save lives?

Well, you are in luck. Programs need volunteers to fill the data gaps across the Badger State.

The state of Wisconsin is looking for additional weather observers and storm spotters. The state offers two programs to get involved: Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) and SKYWARN.

What You Need To Know

• Join Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network or SKYWARN to help the community
• You can report the weather in your area to help save lives and improve forecasts
• Scroll to the bottom for more information on how to join

Each program is extremely useful in proving real-time ground truth.

Meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water), insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, and many more people will use the information provided.

Spotters report hail size, wind speed, tornado development and local damage to the National Weather Service (NWS). These reports lead to advanced warnings and better verification of storm strength.

Weather observers take measurements of rain, hail and snow from their backyard, helping to improve forecast accuracy and confirmation.

If you are worried about volunteering, don’t be. Programs provide free training. CoCoRaHS and SKYWARN have informational classes provided by trained professionals. Classes are open to the public, in-person and virtually.

Sign up now and become a valued part of the community!

SKYWARN (Storm Spotters)

1. SKYWARN for Milwaukee and Madison

• https://www.weather.gov/mkx/spotter-schedule
• Main NWS Milwaukee contact for spotter training is Tim Halbach.

2. SKYWARN for Green Bay

• https://www.weather.gov/grb/skywarn
• Main NWS Green Bay contact for spotter training is Kurt Kotenberg.

3. SKYWARN for La Crosse

• https://www.weather.gov/arx/skywarn_schedule
• Main NWS La Crosse contact for spotter training is Mike Kurz.

CoCoRaHS (Weather Observers)

Information: https://www.cocorahs.org/

Join: https://www.cocorahs.org/application.aspx

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