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Severe weather spotter training offered in Sidney

Area residents will get the opportunity to learn how to accurately spot and report severe weather, as well as keeping themselves and their families safe in times of atmospheric turbulence.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) storm spotters are the critical eyes-on-the-ground who identify and report severe weather to local emergency management and the NWS.

Ron Leal, Region 21 Emergency Management Director will be hosting a Severe Weather Spotter Training this evening.

The training covers the basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure, identifying potential severe weather features, information to report, how to report the information and severe weather safety.

Spotters reports of tornadoes, funnel clouds, high winds and hail provide the data meteorologist’s use to supplement information when issuing official severe weather warnings.

Leal said one of the tools anyone should have when it comes to severe weather safety is a emergency weather kit.

A basic kit should include, water, food, battery-powered or hand crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle to signal for help, oust mask to help filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting and duct tape for a shelter, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, manual can opener for food, local maps, and cell phone with inverter or solar charger.

Attendees will be trained by staff from the Cheyenne NWS forecast office. Because Cheyenne County participates in the NWS SKYWARN program, upon completion of the training spotters are able to assist the NWS with with storm spotting.

Leal said the NWS usually looks at the participants geographic location when choosing storm spotters.

Severe Weather Spotter training will be held tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sidney High School, for more information contact 308-254-7003.

 

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