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).