National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Information we need from you to become a Weather Spotter for WFO Pueblo

 During the cold season, a volunteer weather spotter's role is generally to relay snowfall amounts, freezing precipitation occurrences, high wind events, and dense fog reports. Little training is required to relay this information; a yardstick and a good pair of eyes.  

During the warm season it can get a bit more involved. Between 80 and 90 percent of the thunderstorms for which we issue warnings have large hail and heavy rain ONLY. Your tools to report back to us would be an inexpensive rain gauge (highly recommended, but not necessary), and a device to measure hail diameter (ruler, calipers, or our useful hail card). When thunderstorms develop into high wind producers and even tornadoes, specific training is necessary to report these events to WFO Pueblo. There are specific cloud structures and other clues around thunderstorms that indicate high winds and tornadic development. If you are interested in reporting this type of information to us, it is highly recommended that you take the on-line NWS SKYWARN Spotter Training, or attend, in person, a SKYWARN Spotter Training Session in your area. 

The on-line training is basic, so is intended for those new to spotter training.  However, seasoned spotters are welcome to take the on-line training to review their spotter skills.  The gallery of storm structure photos is especially helpful.  Here is the link to get started right now with the on-line SKYWARN Spotter Training.

If you choose not to take spotter training, you can still be a spotter for us by reporting snow amounts, freezing precipitation, high wind events, dense fog, hail diameter, and rainfall amounts. Your level of participation is up to you! Please fill out the form below if you want further information on becoming a VOLUNTEER weather spotter for WFO Pueblo. The following information is requested so that we can provide you with additional information about Pueblo's SKYWARN Spotter program. Submission of the information is voluntary, however, without it we cannot provide you with the requested materials. You may also request the SKYWARN information by phone at (719) 948-3371 (Pueblo), (719) 573-6846 (Colorado Springs), or (719) 589-3232 (Alamosa), or email us at pubnws@noaa.gov. Regardless, we will contact you, and send you a packet of information to get you started. Thanks!

Weather Spotters Guide (26MB download)

 Other NWS informational and safety brochures

 Sign up for eSpotter  (you MUST be a registered weather spotter with a local NWS office to participate in eSpotter.  When you submit your reports, the local NWS office will acknowledge that they received your reports)

 Sign up for Spotter Network  (you MUST take a training course and pass the exam in order to be allowed to submit spotter reports)

 Sign up for CoCoRaHS  (join a nationwide network of volunteer precipitation reporters)

 NWS Pueblo local spotter information  (includes reasons NWS needs spotters, how to be safe during mobile spotting, and how and what to report)

            NWS Pueblo SKYWARN Sign-up sheet.  And one in text format.

  Do you need a new Hail Card so you can easily measure the diameter of hail?  This Hail Card link will provide a card that you can print, fold over, and laminate.  However, if you are a registered spotter and need a card with the contact numbers please email pubnws@noaa.gov to have a hail card mailed to you.