Weather
Illinois Severe Weather Training Coming to DuPage County Nov 11
Glen Ellyn, IL – Residents across Chicago's western suburbs will have an opportunity to learn how to recognize dangerous weather conditions when an in person storm spotter training course comes to DuP
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-25T09:16:03.393Z
Glen Ellyn, IL – Residents across Chicago's western suburbs will have an opportunity to learn how to recognize dangerous weather conditions when an in person storm spotter training course comes to DuPage County on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The two hour evening session at the College of DuPage will introduce participants to storm observation using educational materials provided by the National Weather Service, offering a local opportunity to build weather awareness before the next severe thunderstorm season.
According to the National Weather Service Chicago office, the training is being organized in partnership with meteorology students at the College of DuPage. The session is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Central time at the college's Culinary and Hospitality Center amphitheater in Glen Ellyn. Meteorology students will teach the course using NWS provided materials.
Severe Weather Education Comes to DuPage County The November training offers an opportunity for residents of Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Carol Stream and surrounding communities to become more familiar with severe weather observation. The event is particularly relevant to those interested in thunderstorms, tornadoes and the role that trained weather observers can play in communicating changing conditions.
Storm spotter education generally focuses on recognizing important visual characteristics of thunderstorms, understanding potential severe weather hazards and communicating observations accurately. Such training can help participants distinguish potentially dangerous storm features from ordinary cloud formations, although the official announcement does not provide a detailed breakdown of the evening's curriculum.
The National Weather Service relies on multiple sources of information when monitoring severe weather, including radar observations and reports from people observing conditions on the ground. Storm spotters can provide additional context about hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and other weather developments. Accurate observations can help meteorologists better understand what is occurring during rapidly changing weather situations.
College of DuPage Hosts Evening Session The course will take place at the College of DuPage Culinary and Hospitality Center, located at 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. The venue is accessible to residents traveling from communities throughout DuPage County and the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
According to the event instructions, attendees should enter the parking lot from Fawell Boulevard on the north side of the building. After parking, participants should enter the building from the west, turn left in the foyer and continue along the hallway. The amphitheater will be located on the right.
The National Weather Service announcement provides the date, location and instructional partnership but does not specify registration requirements, admission costs or attendance limits. Anyone planning to participate should consult the official event page for additional information before traveling.
Training Builds Awareness Beyond Storm Season Although November falls outside the region's typical peak spring and summer severe weather period, the session provides an opportunity to develop observation skills before future storms arrive. Severe thunderstorms can occur at different times of year across northern Illinois, making year round weather awareness valuable.
For residents who regularly follow severe weather alerts, the training also offers a chance to better understand how observations complement official forecasts and warnings. Participants can use that knowledge to make more informed decisions when threatening weather approaches their communities.
The November event highlights a collaboration between the National Weather Service and local meteorology students, bringing weather education directly to Chicago's western suburbs.
Would you attend a local storm spotter training course to learn more about severe weather safety?
Event Details Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026
Time: 7 9 p.m. Central time
Location: College of DuPage, Culinary and Hospitality Center Amphitheater
Address: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL
Instruction: College of DuPage meteorology students using National Weather Service materials
Registration and admission: Not specified in the supplied announcement.
Official source: National Weather Service Chicago Weather Forecast Office, "In Person Storm Spotter Training in Glen Ellyn, IL on November 11."