Scattered Severe Thunderstorms Across the Northern Plains; Fire Weather Concerns in the Western U.S.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast across central and eastern North Dakota, as well as far northwest Minnesota Saturday (Slight Risk level 2 of 5). Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will persist through the weekend across the Western U.S. Isolated dry thunderstorms could lead to new fire starts over portions of the northern Rockies. Read More >

Weather Spotters

We are currently seeking volunteers to be SKYWARN Weather Spotters for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Sacramento. Weather Spotters act as the eyes of the National Weather Service, reporting severe weather to forecasters to improve warnings and forecasts. We are especially interested in people who live at higher elevations (2000 feet and above) and in rural areas. These areas have few spotters, while urban locations are generally well covered.

For your convenience, we have made the spotter training available online through a series of six YouTube videos. We suggest taking these modules in order.

Online Weather Spotter Training Playlist for Modules 1-6

Module 1: National Weather Service (NWS) Overview and the Role of the Storm Spotter

Module 2: NWS Definitions and Thunderstorms

Module 3: Tornadoes

Module 4: Other Types of Severe Weather

Module 5: Reporting Severe Weather

Module 6: Supplemental Information and Programs

After completion of the online spotter training modules, those who wish to become official weather spotters need to complete and pass the online Spotter Exam (Google account may be required). Upon passing the exam, a spotter packet containing additional resources and spotter identification will be mailed to you.

Spotter reports can be called in via our toll free number (available in spotter package) and should be used for urgent information.

For less critical and timely information (for example rainfall amounts less than half an inch, pea size hail, etc) can be sent in via our Social Media Accounts. NWS Sacramento Facebook and NWS Sacramento Twitter. Remember, A picture is worth a thousand words, and by sharing on our social media accounts, more folks will be informed.

Spotter Reporting Resources