Want to Help Track Severe Weather? Flagler County Is Offering a Free Storm Spotter Class This May

Flagler County Emergency Management is hosting a free Skywarn Storm Spotter class on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the county’s Emergency Operations Center. The class is offered through the National Weather Service and is open to any resident who wants to learn how to recognize and report severe weather. Pre-registration is required to attend.

What Skywarn storm spotters do

Skywarn is a national volunteer program run by the National Weather Service that trains everyday citizens to observe and report severe weather conditions directly to meteorologists. Storm spotters provide ground-level information that weather radar and satellites cannot always capture, making their reports valuable during fast-moving storms. Volunteers who complete the training become part of a nationwide network supporting both the National Weather Service and local emergency management agencies.

What the class covers

The two-hour class will be taught by a seasoned National Weather Service meteorologist. Participants will learn what cloud formations signal severe weather, what officially qualifies as severe weather, and how to identify and report dangerous conditions to the right authorities. No prior weather knowledge is required.

“This training will teach you how to identify severe weather, recognize key cloud formations, and report critical weather conditions. By completing the class, you’ll become part of a nationwide network of trained volunteers who help improve weather reporting and community safety.”

— Jonathan Lord, Emergency Management Director, Flagler County

How to register

The class is free but requires advance registration. Residents can sign up online at FlaglerCounty.gov/Emergency by clicking on “Community Training.” Those without internet access can register by calling 386-313-4200.