Interested in becoming a storm spotter? Meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman will be conducting a SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training session on Monday, March 21st at 6:30 pm at the Washita County Activity Center in Cordell.
The purpose of the sessions each year is to help prepare spotters for the upcoming severe weather season. According to the NWS in Norman, “the NWS conducts the training at the invitation of local emergency management officials who organize the training and who, in most cases are responsible for maintaining their local storm spotter network.” Se vere weather damage from thunderstorms, lightning, flooding and tornadoes bring about one too many injuries and deaths and result in billions in property and crop damages.
The NWS established SKYWARN, a volunteer program that has between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. These trained volunteers help keep their community and loved ones safe when severe weather arises by providing accurate and timely severe weather reports to the NWS.
“Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods. SKYWARN storm spotters form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that your efforts have given your family and neighbors the precious gift of time – minutes that can help save lives,” stated the NWS.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the SKYWARN program especially those who are interested in public service, police and fire personnel, EMS, dispatchers and public utility workers. The NWS also encourages individuals that are affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches and nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are encouraged to become a spotter. This ultimately life saving and beneficial training is free and generally lasts close to two hours. Tools attendees can expect to learn are: basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure, identifying potential severe weather features, information necessary to report and how to report it, and basic severe weather safety.
“I think it’s beneficial for county residents and our neighbors surrounding us to come out and get some free training which will strengthen us as a community on storm spotting. This training is open to the public and we look forward to seeing you,” said Washita County Emergency Manager Kenneth Trent.