The National Weather Service offices in and around Wisconsin have announced their Skywarn Spotter training schedules for 2008.

Skywarn spotters are referred to as the "eyes and ears" of the National Weather Service (NWS), in that before and during severe weather events the spotters are deployed across the area to watch and listen
for the signs and actual occurrence of severe thunderstorms, including damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, dangerous lightning, and heavy rain. Such weather conditions certainly are dangerous and can be life-threatening, which is why the NWS conducts training for the spotters.

Anyone can be a spotter, as long as the idea of being "out" in potential or actual severe weather situations is acceptible.

To find out about the spotter training schedule for your area, follow this guide:

If you live in Vilas, Oneida, Forest, Lincoln, Langlade, Marathon, Shawano, Menominee, Wood, Portage, Waupaca, or Waushara Counties, go to the website of the NWS office in Green Bay:
www.weather.gov/grb/?n=spotterschedule

If you live in Taylor, Clark, Juneau, and Adams Counties, go to the website of the NWS office in La Crosse:
www.weather.gov/arx/?n=skywarn

If you live in Price County, go to the webiste of the NWS office in Duluth:
www.weather.gov/dlh/?n=skywarn2008