Storm spotter information for the National Weather Service Forecast Office - Omaha, NE

Severe Storm Spotter Training

National Weather Service meteorologists, in collaboration with local emergency management officials, will offer several in-person severe storm spotter training courses in the spring of 2026 to build your skills in spotting and reporting severe weather! These training sessions are free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome (but age 10 and up will probably get the most out of it)! These sessions will bring a greater understanding of severe storm features, safety around severe storms, how to report important weather information, and will do it all through an exciting combination of videos, photos, and discussion!

Please see the map and calendar below for currently scheduled training session locations and dates. Additional sessions may be scheduled. Pre-registration is NOT required for the live in-person sessions.

Several live, virtual sessions will also be provided this spring along with a recorded version of the training. Registration information will be made available soon.

Nearby storm spotter training sessions may also be offered by our neighboring NWS offices in Hastings, North Platte, Sioux Falls, Des Moines, Topeka, and Kansas City.

A graphic detailing the NWS Omaha Storm Spotter Training Sessions for 2026, updated as of January 13, 2026. The specific sessions listed are: February 18, 2026: Columbus Fire Station February 26, 2026: Homestead National Monument March 3, 2026: Northeast Community College March 12, 2026: Harrison/Shelby Counties Location TBD March 30, 2026: Snyder Firemen’s Ballroom March 31, 2026: Otoe County Fairgrounds April 11, 2026: Seward Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion Additionally, it mentions sessions with dates TBD for Cedar/Knox Counties, Shenandoah, and Pottawatomie County, as well as several Live, Virtual Training Sessions TBD throughout the spring. The graphic also advises checking the calendar for additional information, contacting Lincoln/Lancaster Emergency Management for their series, and visually references surrounding NWS offices: Sioux Falls, Des Moines, North Platte, Hastings, Topeka, and K.C.

Registration information for the virtual storm spotter training and safety classes on February 20th and noon and 6 PM, and March 24th and noon and 6 PM. You can also register via the link in the calendar below.

What To Report - printable 2-page PDF storm spotting guide

Weather Spotter's Field Guide - pdf file

Skywatcher Cloud Chart - pdf file

Skywarn Spotter Online Training Modules