Resources

We encourage continuing training for all Skywarn® spotters, here are a few resources to get started:

• NWS Skywarn page
  • Springfield, MO NWS Skywarn page
  • Weather Spotter’s Field Guide
  • Storm Spotter Field Checklist
  • Hail and Wind Reference
  • Cloud Identification
  • Skywarn training schedule for SGF office
• Joplin Area SKYWARN Facebook Page
• Spotter Network
  • Spotter Network is a location and reporting service for storm spotters. We encourage local spotters to sign up and take their training, and use a mobile app to report your location. This allows net control to see where you are in real-time in respect to where weather is happening. The training is also a good refresher for those who have taken Skywarn training. There are several apps for various platforms available, the list below is just a sample:
• Weather Apps
  • Windows
    • GRLevel3 – This is a powerful app for displaying various radar products
    • StormLab – Similar to GRLevel3
    • SpotterNetwork – Sign up with SpotterNetwork and use this Windows app to report your position and conditions
  • Android
    • Radar Alive Pro – Good radar app
    • RadarScope – Another good radar app
    • PYKL3 Radar – More radar
    • ChaserLocation – Feeds your location to the SpotterNetwork if you’re mobile spotting.
  • iPhone
    • RadarScope – Radar app (I don’t have an iPhone, if you have any suggestions for apps, please let me know)
• Videos:
  • Doug Cramer of the U.S. National Weather Service office in Springfield, MO provided radar training to members of Greene County Skywarn, Ava/Douglas County Skywarn and others involved with Skywarn in Southwest Missouri. This training provided us with increased skills at reading radar data to assist us in the field. It included information on Tornado Debris Signatures that are now being detected with radar enhancements put into place since 2012. Thank you Doug!