Harding University will host a SKYWARN Storm Spotter Course on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Auditorium. SKYWARN, a program often referred to as the “eyes and ears” of the National Weather Service, exists as a network of trained spotters that voluntarily watch, track and report criteria associated with severe weather. These reports are used to aid forecasters in issuing and verifying severe weather warnings and to improve the tools used to collect meteorological data.
John Robinson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Weather Forecast Office in North Little Rock said the spotter course teaches people how to identify threatening clouds from the non-threatening clouds.
“Some of the most important cloud features associated with tornadoes occur before the tornado develops,” Robinson said. “People often mistake non-threatening clouds for funnel clouds or tornadoes.”
The NWS sponsors SKYWARN training classes in the United States. These classes focus on hazard identification and communication along with spotter strategies and safety concerns. The NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service and access to communication, such HAM radio, to join the SKYWARN program. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches, nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are also encouraged to become a spotter.
The course is free and lasts about two and a half hours. Upon completion of the course, students are provided certificates to certify them as official NWS storm spotters for five years.
