SKYWARN is a program that is run by the National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States. It is a network of trained volunteers who report on local weather conditions to the NWS. The reports provided by SKYWARN volunteers help the NWS to issue accurate and timely warnings for severe weather events, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash floods. SKYWARN volunteers are typically amateur radio operators, although anyone with an interest in meteorology and a willingness to undergo training can become a SKYWARN volunteer. The program is an important part of the NWS’s efforts to protect lives and property from the impacts of severe weather.