Storm spotter training gets started this coming week

Want to be an official storm spotter or maybe just want to learn more about severe weather?  Here’s your chance!
Want to be an official storm spotter or maybe just want to learn more about severe weather? Here’s your chance!

We have written before about the great opportunity the National Weather Service provides by giving storm spotter training during the start of the severe weather season.  That time is now here and training sessions start in the coming week and new sessions have been added since we last reported on the topic.

The storm spotter program is a nationwide program with more than 280,000 trained spotters.  These volunteers report weather hazards to their local National Weather Service office providing vital information when severe strikes.  Data from spotters include severe wind, rain, snow measurements, thunderstorms and hail and of course tornadoes. 

Don’t think tornadoes can hit Thornton?  Click here for a look back at the June 3, 1981 twister that hit the city!

Storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time–seconds and minutes that can help save lives.

By completing one of these training classes you can become an official storm spotter.  When severe weather strikes, you can report it by calling a special toll free number or submit your report via the National Weather Service’s website.

These are great sessions for anyone wanting to learn more about the severe weather we experience in Colorado, whether you want to be an official spotter or not.  All training is free.  Topics include:

  • Basics of thunderstorm development
  • Fundamentals of storm structure
  • Identifying potential severe weather features
  • Information to report
  • How to report information
  • Basic severe weather safety

To learn more about the program, see here:  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bou/awebphp/spotter.php

Here are the dates, times and locations announced thus far (click here to go to the NWS site for the latest). 

 
March, 2009 – Upcoming
Day City, State Time Location
05 Greeley, CO
(Weld County)
6:30pm MST Weld County Training Facility 1104 H Street Greeley, CO
  Contact Information: rrudisill@co.weld.co.us
19 Westminster, CO
(Adams County)
6:30pm MDT Front Range Community College 3645 West 112th Ave. room C0804 Westminster, CO 80031
  Contact Information: Ryan.Girard@frontrange.edu
23 Julesburg, CO
(Sedgwick County)
6:30pm MDT Julesburg Fire Hall
  Contact Information: ptsports57@yahoo.com
24 Holyoke, CO
(Phillips County)
9:00am MDT location to be determined.
  Contact Information: Philcoadmin@pctelcom.coop
24 Haxtun, CO
(Phillips County)
6:30pm MDT location to be determined
  Contact Information: fix5@haxtuntel.net
30 Westminster, CO
(Adams County)
2:30pm MDT Front Range Community College 3645 West 112th Ave. room C0804 Westminster, CO 80031
  Contact Information: Ryan.Girard@frontrange.edu
31 Sterling, CO
(Logan County)
6:30pm MDT Sterling Fire Hall Community room, 420 S. Oak Street
  Contact Information: OWENS@sterlingcolo.com
 
April, 2009 – Upcoming
Day City, State Time Location
02 Loveland, CO
(Larimer County)
9:00am MDT Rialto Theater 228 East 4th Street Loveland, CO 80537
  Contact Information: mialyp@ci.loveland.co.us
02 Fort Collins, CO
(Larimer County)
7:00pm MDT City Council Chambers 300 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, CO
  Contact Information: nilssoed@co.larimer.co.us
06 Brush, CO
(Morgan County)
7:00pm MDT Morgan County Fairgrounds Ellsworth Street, Brush
  Contact Information: senfante@co.morgan.co.us
14 Commerce City, CO
(Adams County)
1:00pm MDT Adams County Sheriff’s Dept. 4201 East 72nd Avenue Commerce City, CO 80022
  Contact Information: JSchwarz@co.adams.co.us
22 Akron, CO
(Washington County)
6:30pm MDT Washington County Fairgrounds Event Center, Akron
  Contact Information: mmcaleb@co.washington.co.us
23 Parker, CO
(Douglas County)
7:00pm MDT Parker Fire District HQ 10235 Parkglenn Way Parker, CO
  Contact Information: kc0mht@msn.com
 
May, 2009 – Upcoming
Day City, State Time Location
02 Denver, CO
(Denver County)
9:00am MDT Denver Police Station 3 1625 South University, Denver
  Contact Information: Mike.Rappe@denvergov.org

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