Training & Education
Our Mission and Vision
Training is the foundation of an effective and safe severe weather reporting network.
York County SKYWARN is committed to helping volunteers, amateur radio operators, emergency management partners, and community members build the knowledge and skills needed to safely observe, report, and respond to severe weather conditions across York County and the Susquehanna Valley.
Whether you are brand new to weather spotting or already experienced in emergency communications and public safety operations, continuing education is an important part of staying prepared.
About York County SKYWARN®
SKYWARN® Spotter Training
Official SKYWARN® training is coordinated through the National Weather Service.
These classes teach participants how to:
- Identify severe weather features
- Recognize dangerous storm development
- Understand warning terminology
- Submit accurate weather reports
- Stay safe during severe weather operations
Training may include:
- In-person classes
- Virtual webinars
- Online spotter courses
- Seasonal weather briefings
- Severe weather workshops
No prior meteorology experience is required.
Topics Covered
Training opportunities may cover:
- Thunderstorm development
- Tornado identification
- Wall clouds & funnel clouds
- Hail size estimation
- Wind damage assessment
- Flash flooding awareness
- Winter weather hazards
- Lightning safety
- Storm structure recognition
- Weather radar basics
- Spotter reporting procedures
- Public safety coordination
Amateur Radio & Emergency Communications
Amateur radio operators play a critical role during severe weather operations and emergency communications.
York County SKYWARN encourages training in:
- Amateur radio operations
- Severe weather net procedures
- Tactical communications
- Backup communications systems
- Net control operations
- Winlink & digital messaging
- Emergency communications preparedness
Radio operators may support:
- Severe weather nets
- Community events
- Emergency management coordination
- Public safety situational awareness
Emergency Preparedness Education
Prepared communities are resilient communities.
Training may also include:
- Family preparedness planning
- Emergency kits & supplies
- NOAA Weather Radio usage
- Shelter planning
- Severe weather safety
- Vehicle preparedness
- Power outage readiness
- Community preparedness initiatives
Preparedness starts before severe weather strikes.
Partner Training Opportunities
Members and volunteers may also benefit from training opportunities through:
- Local emergency management agencies
- Amateur radio organizations
- CERT programs
- Public safety agencies
- Community preparedness initiatives
- Weather and emergency management conferences
- Online FEMA Independent Study courses
FEMA & Emergency Management Courses
Volunteers interested in emergency management and communications are encouraged to explore FEMA Independent Study courses such as:
- IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS-200: ICS for Initial Response
- IS-700: National Incident Management System
- IS-800: National Response Framework
- IS-317: Introduction to CERT
These free online courses help strengthen emergency operations knowledge and interoperability during incidents.
Drone Operations & Technology
Emerging technologies continue to play an increasing role in situational awareness and disaster response.
Future training opportunities may include:
- Drone/UAS operations
- Weather photography & documentation
- Mapping & GIS
- Mobile weather technology
- Field reporting tools
- Live weather monitoring systems
Safety First
Safety is always the top priority.
All training emphasizes:
- Personal safety
- Situational awareness
- Proper reporting procedures
- Avoiding unnecessary risk
- Supporting — not interfering with — emergency operations
SKYWARN® volunteers are observers and reporters, not emergency responders.
Interested in Training?
York County SKYWARN® - Empowering Communities
Whether you want to become a trained weather spotter, improve your emergency preparedness skills, or support emergency communications operations, there is a place for you in SKYWARN®.
Learn. Prepare. Protect.
Interested in upcoming training opportunities?
Join York County SKYWARN® Today
Complete our volunteer interest form to receive updates about future classes, meetings, and training events.