The National Weather Service is offering a free, two-hour “Severe Weather Storm Spotting” class in the Student Union of Menard Hall today, March 2, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Open to the public, attendees will learn about the formation and tracking of tornadoes and have the opportunity to become official NWS storm spotters. There is no age limit for those wishing to attend. However, attendees must be at least 18 years old to receive storm spotter certification. Pre-registration is not required. Those needing special accommodations should email Chris.Miller@noaa.gov.

The session will be led by James Auten, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service 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.

For individuals who wish to become certified storm spotters, Auten will provide information about the types of data the Weather Service needs to better inform the public on the severity of the storm, and what can be expected as it moves along its track. Some of the observations that need reported include hail, estimated wind speed, flash flooding and tornadoes.

For more information, contact Dean Butzow, LLCC 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