October 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The National Weather Service and the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency have announced a Basic SKYWARN Spotter Class set for Wednesday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex.
This free 90-minute class is open to people of all ages and will be hosted by a NWS Nashville meteorologist. In the Basic Spotter class, volunteers will learn basic storm features, weather safety rules, how to get reports to the NWS and much more.
The National Weather Service needs volunteers to provide severe weather reports. Spotters relay their reports to the Weather Service as they see it. This information is used by forecasters to track storms and alert the public to dangerous weather situations. Time and time again, reports from trained weather spotters have saved countless lives, especially during heavy rains and flooding, thunderstorms and wind storms.
The NWS spotter program is informal. Spotters may continue their daily routine and work schedule.
The National Weather Service, in cooperation with local Emergency Management, normally holds spotter training classes annually at various locations across the region. These courses will include information about the National Weather Service, tornadoes, thunderstorms, flash floods, dust storms, high winds and winter storms. Those who complete the course will become a part of the NWS crucial storm observing and reporting network.
If you enjoy watching the weather and wish to provide a valuable public service, this is the course for you.
For more information visit www.weather.gov/ohx/skywarn