National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Central Plains to Upper Midwest; Extreme Heat in Parts of the South

Thunderstorms with severe wind gusts and hail will be possible today across parts of the central Plains, and from the Missouri Valley into the upper Mississippi Valley. Heavy rain associated with the thunderstorms may also produce flash/urban flooding. Critical fire weather conditions expected in the Great Basin and interior Northwest. Dangerous heat continues across the Southwest and Southeast. Read More >

                                                                                  

Southern New Mexico / Far West Texas 

Spotter Training Schedule 2026 

 


Date 


Time


City


Location

Course Type


May 15, 2026


7 to 9 PM

El Paso

TX

Sun City Radio Club

3709 Wickham Ave



Basic


 


 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 


 



 

       

 

Last Updated 5/3/26 - No signup required; Other classes will be added when scheduled

The primary mission of the National Weather Service is to save lives and property through timely warnings and forecasts. Yes, we depend on Doppler radar, state-of-the-art satellite imagery and ever-improving supercomputers, but many small scale features cannot be detected by these. Therefore, volunteer weather spotters will always be “the eyes and ears” of the National Weather Service in reference to its warning program. An effective Skywarn Weather Spotter program is essential for the NWS to fulfill our mission of protecting life and property and enhancing our nation's economy. 

BASIC COURSE:

  • Up to two hours in length, free of charge
  • Learn to identify hazardous weather features
  • Find out when we would like a call from you (certain thresholds & criteria must be met)
  • Elementary to intermediate meteorological concepts are taught
  • Prerequisite to the ADVANCED COURSE (goes much deeper into the theory)
  • For more information, please call Warning Coordination Meteorologist Alina Nieves at 575-589-4088