Believe it or not, winter will be over in a matter of weeks months and with spring here in Minnesota comes with it the possibility of severe weather. If you are intrigued by the weather and want to be on the front lines when it happens you should attend a SKYWARN class. The National Weather Service is offering FREE SKYWARN classes throughout Minnesota during the spring months. 

According to the National Weather Service's website, "SKYWARN is a program established by the National Weather Service in the 1970s with a goal of obtaining critical weather information during times of severe weather. Skywarn works with local organizations and private citizens who have a desire to serve their communities. Skywarn volunteers receive training in severe storm identification and evolution, and when severe weather threatens, they become 'storm spotters', reporting information in real-time to the local NWS office."

Skywarn training classes listed below are all free, and will last around 2 1/2 hours. Pre-registration for these classes is required only if specifically stated. Here are a few of the local classes that are being offered:

  • Wed, March 4, 6:30pm – 9:00pm Le Sueur County held in Le Center on the lower level of the Le Sueur County Justice Center. Contact Ann Traxler at 507-357-8394
  • Mon, March 16, 1:00pm – 3:30pm Waseca County held in Waseca the class will be held in the Courthouse East Annex. Contact Denise Wright at 507-835-0694.
  • Mon, March 16, 6:00pm – 8:30pm Waseca County held in Waseca the class will be held in the Courthouse East Annex. Contact Denise Wright at 507-835-0694.
  • Tue, March 17, 7:00pm – 9:30pm Steele County held in Owatonna at the Fire Department. Contact Dave Purscell at David.Purscell@co.steele.mn.us
  • Sat, April 4, 9:00am – 11:30am Goodhue County held in Cannon Falls at the Public Safety Building. Contact Jim Braaten at 507-838-9910.

There are also other classes for places like New Prague, Burnsville, and Chaska that are considered Metro SKYWARN, and those classes can be found here.

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