The National Weather Service will host a series of sessions for anyone 10 years old or older who wants to learn how to read the clouds. People who complete the class and are 13 years old or older can help the NWS with storm reports during or after severe weather incidents.

The class lasts between 75 and 90 minutes and covers severe weather in 2025; how to identify important storm features; situational awareness tools and free, public NWS products and staying safe before, during and after hazardous weather.

Four of the 16 in-person classes are in Oakland County, one is in Macomb County and one is in Wayne County:

•  7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18: The Hawk Community Center (Room 391)m 29995 W 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Use the entrance at the 12 Mile Road traffic signal, turn right and park in the upper (western) parking lot. Use the pedestrian bridge to the entrance and follow the hallways signs.

•  7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31: Ferndale City Hall (City Council chambers), 300 E. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale. Use the large parking lot next to City Hall; rates are $1.35 per hour.

•  6 p.m. Thursday, April 16: Troy Police and Fire Training Center (Classrooms B and C), 4850 John R Road in Troy. Park on the south side of the building; use the building’s main entrance.

•  1 p.m. Saturday, April 18: Detroit Public Library Main Branch (Galleria), 5201 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Parking is free in the lot on the south side of the library off Putnam Street.

•  10 a.m. Saturday, April 25: Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, in Room 100 A/B/C. Register by emailing emergencymanagement@macombgov.org or call (586) 469-5270.

•  6 p.m. Thursday, April 30: Marshbank Park Lodge, 2805 Hiller Road in West Bloomfield Township.

While children ages 10 and older will likely get the most out of the training, the classes are open to all ages. Pre-registration may be required when space is limited.

A widespread severe weather threat for southeast Michigan could cause a class to be cancelled.

Online training dates will be announced in the near future. These take about an hour and cover the role of a Skywarn spotter and convective basics. Learn more at https://www.weather.gov/dtx/spotter2.