The National Weather Service is offering a free two-hour “Severe Weather Storm Spotting” class at LLCC-Springfield Monday, Feb. 27 starting at 6:30 p.m. The event is being held in the Student Union, Menard Hall and is open to the public.

The session, the only one in Sangamon County in 2017, is being led by Ed Shimon, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Lincoln. The class will cover the formation and movement of tornadoes and other severe storms in addition to personal safety considerations when severe weather is threatening. The program will also offer attendees the opportunity to become official NWS spotters.

For individuals who wish to become certified storm spotters, Shimon will provide information about the types of data the Weather Service needs to better inform the public about the severity of the storm and what can be expected as it moves along its track. Some of the observations they need reported include hail, estimated wind speed, flash flooding and tornadoes. Tornadoes have occurred in Illinois during every month of the year but the peak period is from April through June.

The program is co-sponsored by LLCC and the Capital Area Amateur Radio Emergency Response Team (CAARERT). There is no age limit for those who wish to attend; however, attendees must be at least 18 years old to receive storm spotter certification. Pre-registration is not required. Those with special needs should send a request to Chris.Miller@noaa.gov no later than Wednesday, Feb. 15 so that LLCC can accommodate the request.

For more information, contact Dean Butzow, LLCC professor of geography, at dean.butzow@llcc.edu or 786.4923. You may also go to the NWS Lincoln Office “Severe Weather Spotter Training” web page at: http://www.weather.gov/Lincoln/spotter.