INDIANA — As Indiana enters its most volatile weather season, the National Weather Service is calling on “citizen scientists” to join the front lines of public safety. This month kicks off a three-month intensive schedule of SKYWARN® Storm Spotter classes designed to train volunteers to identify and report severe weather hazards.
The training comes at a critical time, as Governor Eric Holcomb has designated March 8–14, 2026, as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana.
While the NWS offers sessions throughout the spring, two key local workshops are approaching for residents in Greene and Martin counties:
- Bloomfield in Greene County: Monday, March 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Greene County Fairgrounds, at 4503 State Road 54.
- Loogootee in Martin County: Monday, April 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Martin County Ambulance Services at 2660 US 50.
Even with advanced radar technology, the NWS relies on ground-truth reports to confirm what the “eyes of the radar” cannot always see. Trained spotters provide vital information on:
- Tornado development and wall cloud rotation.
- Hail size and damaging wind gusts.
- Flash flooding and local road washouts.
According to the National Weather Service, radar is an incredible tool, but it has limitations, especially with low-level features. A report from a trained spotter can be the difference between a 5-minute and a 15-minute lead time for a life-saving warning.
For those unable to attend in-person sessions, the NWS is offering virtual spotting classes via webinar throughout March and April. Additionally, self-paced online modules are available through the COMET MetEd program for those looking for a basic introduction or a refresher.
Classes are free and typically last two hours. While most sessions do not require pre-registration, some high-capacity venues may.
To confirm your spot or find additional dates in your area, contact your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) coordinator or visit the official NWS Skywarn training portal at weather.gov.
