Stay ahead of severe weather by becoming a Kansas Storm Spotter

29 February 2024

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The National Weather Service (NWS) is hosting multiple Storm Spotter training courses across Kansas to help people get prepped for severe weather this year.

People have the opportunity to attend Storm Spotter classes either in-person or online in the coming weeks to help locals learn how to prepare and respond to severe weather. Each class is held in the evening hours and last around 90 minutes.

“Spotters provide critical information during severe weather events that aid in warning operations at the National Weather Service. If you are interested in helping out your community, or are simply interested in learning more about severe weather, consider attending one of our classes!”

National Weather Service website statement


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Each course is led by a NWS meteorologist who will teach attendees about thunderstorm development and structure and safety during thunderstorms. People will also learn the basics on how to report storm information.

In-Person Storm Spotter Courses

Shawnee County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 4

Washburn University Memorial Union at 1820 SW Jewell Avenue in Topeka

Franklin County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 5

301 S. Hickory in Ottawa

Geary County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 6

Geary County 4-H Senior Citizen Center at 1025 S. Spring Valley Road in Junction City

Marshall County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 7

Axtell American Legion at 207 Fifth in Axtell

Pottawatomie County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 11

Sunflower Room in the lower level of the Pottawatomie Co. Public Works building at 612 E. Campbell Street in Westmoreland

Republic County

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 12

Belleville 4-H building at 901 O Street in Belleville

Cloud County

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 13

North Central Kansas Medical Center at 155 College Drive in Concordia

Clay County

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 14

Clay County Event Center at 205 12th Street in Clay Center

Douglas County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 18

Lawrence Public Library at 707 Vermont Street in Lawrence

Coffey County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 20

Burlington 4-H building at 605 S. 3rd Street in Burlington

Ottawa County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 21

Ottawa County Courthouse basement at 307 N. Concord in Minneapolis

Lyon County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 27

Emporia State University Preston Room (222) in the Memorial Union at 1 Kellogg Circle in Emporia

Riley County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Mach 28

Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park at 1710 Avery Avenue in Manhattan

Wabaunsee County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 2

McFarland Senior Center at 503 Main Street in McFarland

Washington County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 3

Washington Fire Station at 900 D Street in Washington

Dickinson County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 4

Herington Community building at 800 S. Broadway in Herington

Nemaha County

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 9

Nemaha County Community building at 1500 Community Drive in Seneca


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Virtual Storm Spotter Courses

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 19. Register by clicking here.

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 1. Register by clicking here.

7 p.m. on April 2. Register by clicking here.

3 p.m. on April 7. Register by clicking here.

For more information on the upcoming courses or to learn how to become a volunteer storm spotter for the NWS, click here. To learn more about the upcoming statewide tornado warning drill happening in March, click here.

For more weather news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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