Weather spotter training is free
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The National Weather Service will hold two Skywarn Spotter training classes in the near future. Lead Forecaster Larry Nierenberg said people who want to be spotters only need to take one of the classes which will be offered on May 22 and June 1.
“You’ll learn about how thunderstorms form,” he said. “You’ll learn about how to measure hail. You’ll learn about how to measure snow properly – things like that.”
Spotters then report their findings to the National Weather Service, which he said is valuable.
“The more accurate reports that we get from our citizens helps us,” he said.
Nierenberg said that the more accurate information from the trained spotters not only helps the weather service but also aids the citizens in knowing what to expect.
The classes are virtual and there is no charge. The spotter program is informal. Participants may continue with their daily routine and work schedule.
“Time and time again, reports from trained weather spotters have saved countless lives, especially during heavy rains and flooding, thunderstorms, and wind storms,” Skywarn states.
Registration for the spotter training will be posted on the National Weather Service website in the near future.
