Meteorologists help train area storm spotters

The meteorologists recommend that spotters complete the online training materials before attending a webinar or a live class.

Most sessions are open to anyone, although individuals should contact their emergency management director before attending, especially if interested in becoming a member of a local storm spotter network.

During severe weather, storm spotters report to emergency managers.

“I want to know from the spotter, ‘What exactly are you seeing?'” Ball said. “For example, we might ask, ‘Is it raining, is it hailing?' The spotters are our eyes and our ears out there.”

The emergency managers relay their severe weather information to the National Weather Service.

Smith said his office also has an official National Weather Service YouTube channel. They are planning to post material there, also.

“The goal of all this is to make it easier for people to take the training on their own schedule,” Smith said. “We want to place it out there in as many different ways as we can and let people use what is best for them.”