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University of Maryland Skywarn Main Page

In the fall and spring of each year the graduate students of the University of Maryland Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department (MetoGrads) sponsor a Skywarn class as a public service to the local community. Though we offer logistical support and registration, we do not run the classes and serve in no official capacity. We are happy to attempt to answer questions, but in many cases pertinent and more authoritative information can be found on the National or Local Skywarn webpages of the National Weather Service.

The MetoGrads also sometimes host an advanced Skywarn class in the fall. These classes are described at this link.

Note that advanced classes encourage Basics I as a prerequisite. If you have not had Basics I but would still like to attend, we would strongly recommend that you review the Basics I materials posted online before attending.

We have a mailing list available for people who are interested in being notified when courses are being offered. The mailing list is low traffic, generally with 3-5 emails sent out per year. Sign up today!

Skywarn Basics I Registration - March 3, 2012: 11:00 am - 2:30 pm

Click the above link to register for the Skywarn Basics I Class hosted by MetoGrads!!!

OVERVIEW OF THE SKYWARN BASICS I CLASS:

The Basics I Class offered this March covers the basics of severe weather. You will first learn about the organization of the National Weather Service (NWS), how they issue severe weather adivsories and what role you play in helping the NWS. The instructor, a NWS employee, will then discuss the severe weather threats prevalent in the mid-Atlantic region, such as thunderstorms, lightning, hail and flooding. Upon completion of the class, you will be mailed a NWS Skywarn Storm Spotter Card, giving you the ability to report severe weather to the NWS in Sterling, VA! Click here to go to some materials related to the class.

SKYWARN SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS(BY CLASS):

Skywarn Basics I Supplementary Materials

Here are slides from Barbara Watson's 2003 presentation. It is nearly identical to Dave Manning's 2005 presentation, and since the movies are from the earlier presentation to avoid confusion we will keep the old one.

Basics I slides:

Basics I movies:

Here are some of the movies that go with the presentation. Thanks to Craig Carignan who worked on converting these to Windows Metafile Viewer format so that they can be viewed on most Windows PCs. For those he could figure out, the slide numbers are listed in parentheses: (1.2.48) means "Basics 1, part 2, slide 48".

Skywarn Basics II Supplementary Material

Basics II slides:

Skywarn Winter Storms Supplementary Material

Winter Storms slides