SKYWARN: is a national effort to save lives during severe weather emergencies with an expanding network of trained weather spotters. The services performed by SKYWARN spotters have saved many lives.

The National Weather Service has a number of devices for detecting severe thunderstorms. Included in these are Doppler radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks.  However, the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter.

By providing observations, SKYWARN spotters assist National Weather Service members in their warning decisions and enable the National Weather Service to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property. Storm spotters are, and always will be, an indispensable part of the severe local warning program.

WARNING! Severe storm spotting is an inherently dangerous activity.
Although the risks can be reduced, they cannot be completely eliminated.

THE STORM SPOTTER MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS. At all times, SAFETY is the top priority of every Storm Spotter. You can do no one any good if you are reckless, careless or inconsiderate. The public's reception or rejection of us, as storm spotters, may depend only on one encounter and that might just be you.

It is recommended that storm chasing be done by experienced, Advanced Storm Spotters who have had appropriate Advanced training. The Basic Storm Spotter is just as important or may be more important in a stationary position, because they can relay reports of the progression of the storm as it passes their area.

REMEMBER: EVERYONE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS EVERYONE ELSE.
There are NO individuals or heroes. We are a TEAM and we are only as strong as our weakest link.