NWS Phoenix Weather Spotter Program
Southeast California, Southwest and South Central Arizona
NWS personnel regularly conduct spotter training sessions at remote locations around
the Phoenix County Warning Area. Severe weather spotter training for new and existing
volunteer spotters will be conducted by the National Weather Service Phoenix Forecast
Office at the times and locations shown below.
Free training classes are held periodically that teach people how to properly identify
and report significant weather phenomena and contribute to public safety. Even with
sophisticated technology like radar and satellites, we still need ground truth
information from trained weather spotters throughout the year. You will learn about
how thunderstorms work, how to identify cloud features associated with microbursts and
tornadoes, visually estimate wind speeds, and how your reports tie in to warnings and
advisories issued by the National Weather Service. In addition, you will learn about
all of the services available from the National Weather Service. Reservations are not
required unless otherwise noted.
Schedule updated: Sat Feb 6 15:33:19 GMT 2010. Check back often for updates.
| 2010 Class Schedule |
| Date
| City
| County
| Address
| Time
| Remarks/Registration [if needed]
| Instructor(s)
| Sat Feb 6
| Globe
| Gila
| 5515 S Apache Ave Ste 400
| 1:00 pm
| To register contact Leana Asberry at 928-402-8805 or lasberry@co.gila.az.us
| Austin
|
| Sat Feb 13
| Phoenix
| Maricopa
| 2340 S. 22nd Ave
| 10:00 am
| None
| Gary or Ken
|
| Wed Feb 17
| Phoenix
| Maricopa
| 150 S. 12th Street
| 6:30 pm
| None
| Austin
|
| Thu Mar 4
| Gilbert
| Maricopa
| 85 E. Civic Center Drive
| 6:30 pm
| To register contact Kim at kim.yonda-lead@gilbertaz.gov or 480-503-6142
| Gary
|
| Thu Mar 4
| Yuma
| Yuma
| 2404 E 24th St
| 7:00 pm
| None
| Ken
|
| Tue Mar 9
| Peoria
| Maricopa
| 8351 W Cinnabar Ave
| 7:00 pm
| None
| Austin
|
| Wed Mar 10
| Paradise Valley
| Maricopa
| 6433 E. Lincoln Dr
| 6:30 pm
| None
| TBD
|
| Sat Mar 20
| Globe
| Gila
| 5515 S Apache Ave Ste 400
| 1:00 pm
| To register contact Leana Asberry at 928-402-8805 or lasberry@co.gila.az.us
| Ken
|
| Thu Apr 1
| Queen Creek
| Maricopa
| Library at 21802 S. Ellsworth
| 6:00 pm
| To register contact Jon Spezzacatena at 480-358-3028 or jon.spezz@queencreek.org
| TBD
|
| Mon Apr 12
| Tempe
| Maricopa
| 1340 E. University
| 7:00 pm
| None
| Austin
|
| Sat Apr 17
| Glendale
| Maricopa
| 11550 W Glendale Ave
| 1:00 pm
| To register contact: Veronica Steele at 623-872-5000
| TBD
|
| Thu Apr 22
| Avondale
| Maricopa
| 1825 N 107th Ave
| 6:30 pm
| None
| Austin
|
| Sat Apr 24
| Mesa
| Maricopa
| MCC
| 10:00 am
| None
| TBD
|
| Thu May 6
| Surprise
| Maricopa
| 14250 W Statler Plaza
| 7:00 pm
| None
| TBD
| |
The training classes will prepare the volunteer spotter to identify the development
stages of severe thunderstorms, as well as downbursts, desert flash flooding, and
tornadoes. The observed information is relayed to the NWS via telephone or amateur radio.
The NWS uses the information in severe weather warnings and statements, that ultimately
save lives and protect property.
Adult volunteers are community spirited individuals, who understand that they play an
essential role in providing storm information to the National Weather Service. Spotters
are also hikers, sports and outdoor enthusiasts, and those who routinely work outdoors.
If you have any questions, please contact Ken Waters - 602-275-0073 (e-mail: ken.waters@noaa.gov) at the NWS Phoenix
Forecast Office.
We especially need new spotters who are year-round residents of the remote areas of our
County Warning Area (CWA), which includes Maricopa, Yuma, La Paz, Riverside, Imperial,
northwest Pinal, and southern Gila counties!
www.weather.gov 
