The National Weather Service will offer a free two-hour “Severe Weather Storm Spotting” class at LLCC on Monday, March 4 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union. The training program is open to the general public.

The session will be led by James Auten, lead meteorologist, NWS in in Lincoln. The class will cover the formation and movement of tornadoes and other severe storms. Also included will be a discussion of personal safety considerations when severe weather is threatening and proper reporting guidelines.

In addition to learning about the formation and tracking of tornadoes, the session will give attendees an opportunity to become official NWS storm spotters. For those who wish to become certified storm spotters, Auten will provide information about the types of data NWS 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.

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. Preregistration is not required. Those with special needs should send a request to Chris.Miller@noaa.gov no later than Wednesday, Feb. 27 so that LLCC can accommodate the request.

For more information, contact Dean Butzow, professor of geography at dean.butzow@llcc.edu or 217-786-4923, or visit the NWS Lincoln office “Severe Weather Spotter Training” webpage at https://www.weather.gov/Lincoln/spotter.