SKYWARN logo with image of skywarn amateur radio operator at work SKYWARN SPOTTER PROGRAM
The National Weather Service relies on trained volunteers to supplement doppler radar information on severe storms and tornadoes. These dedicated individuals volunteer many hours of their time to learn about and detect severe weather. Their valuable cooperation is important in the warning process. Weather reports from trained spotters are used along with doppler radar data to issue warnings of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods.

TRAINING SCHEDULE

Most spotter training is conducted from January through March, in preparation for peak severe weather season.

  • These classes are free of charge and are open to anyone who has an interest in severe weather and/or public service. The objective of the training is to provide the knowledge to identify and report key severe weather features.

  • The classes contain some of the latest video footage of recent violent tornadoes. Emphasis is placed on recent severe weather outbreaks in our region, including the deadly tornadoes near Evansville and in western Kentucky in November, 2005.

  • The classes are about 2 to 3 hours in length. All course materials are provided, and a certificate of completion will be given at the end of each class.

  • Media outlets across the region are encouraged to announce classes in their coverage area.

 


February, 2010 - Upcoming
Day City, State Time Location
11 Hickman, KY
(Fulton County)
6:00pm CST Spotter Concepts 1 & 2... 2216 Myron Cory Drive
Contact Information: Hugh Caldwell (270) 994-7440
11 Murray, KY
(Calloway County)
6:30pm CST SPOTTER CONCEPTS 1 and 2. Murray State University: Freed Curd Auditorium at the Collins Industry and Technology Center
Contact Information: Bill Call (270) 753-7870
13 Mt. Vernon, IN
(Posey County)
9:00am CST SPOTTER CONCEPTS 1 and 2. Hovey House, 330 Walnut St.
Contact Information: Larry Robb (812) 838-1333
16 Dexter, MO
(Stoddard County)
6:30pm CST S.C. 1 and 2. Dexter Chamber of Commerce, 515 N. Market St.
Contact Information: Al Banken (573) 624-3425
18 East Prairie, MO
(Mississippi County)
6:30pm CST Spotter Concepts 1 & 2 East Prairie Nutrition Center 304 E. Main St. East Prairie, MO
Contact Information: David O'Guin (573)-649-3057
23 Fairfield, IL
(Wayne County)
6:00pm CST S.C. 1&2. EMA building, 505 Southwest 10th St.
Contact Information: Galen Esmon (618) 842-3884
27 Carterville, IL
(Williamson County)
9:00am CST S.C. 1 and 2. WSIL Severe Weather Seminar. John A. Logan College on Route 13, in the auditorium.
Contact Information: Jim Rasor 618 985-2333 or Steve Land 618 993-2323

March, 2010 - Upcoming
Day City, State Time Location
01 La Center, KY
(Ballard County)
7:30pm CST Spotter Concepts 1 & 2 EOC Building 111 West Kentucky, Drive
Contact Information: Jody Brown (270) 748-5176
06 Christopher, IL
(Franklin County)
3:00pm CST S.C. 1 and 2. Christopher Civic Center, 211 N. Thomas St.
Contact Information: Jeremy Parke (618) 218-7031
08 Dixon, KY
(Webster County)
6:00pm CST S.C. 1&2. Dixon Community Center, Highway 132 east
Contact Information: Jeremy Moore (270) 635-0369
09 Owensboro, KY
(Daviess County)
6:30pm CST S.C. 1&2. Daviess County High School auditorium, Highway 231 at bypass
Contact Information: Walter Atherton, (270) 685-8448
09 Mt. Carmel, IL
(Wabash County)
6:30pm CST S.C. 1&2. Location TBD.
09 Paducah, KY
(McCracken County)
7:00pm CST Spotter Concepts 1 & 2 McCracken County Extension Service 2705 Olivet Church Rd Class is limited to 60 people, please contact Katherine to reserve slots
Contact Information: Katherine Thomasson (itrainllc@bellsouth.net)
10 Henderson, KY
(Henderson County)
6:30pm CST Spotter Concepts 1&2. Location TBD.
Contact Information: Larry Koerber (270) 831-1235
11 Morganfield, KY
(Union County)
6:00pm CST Spotter Concepts 1&2. Whispering Meadows Fire Dept., 70 Road 6
Contact Information: Vernon Martin (270) 389-3975
15 Benton, KY
(Marshall County)
5:00pm CDT Benton Library 1003 Poplar Street
Contact Information: Melissa Combs (270) 527-4739
16 Madisonville, KY
(Hopkins County)
6:00pm CDT Spotter Concepts 1 & 2 Hopkins County Extension Center 72 Cornwell Drive
Contact Information: Frank Wright (270) 821-5717
20 Evansville, IN
(Vanderburgh County)
9:30am CDT SC 1&2. Evansville Central Library, 200 Northwest Martin Luther Kink Jr. Blvd
Contact Information: Terry Brooks (812) 401-9632
22 Doniphan, MO
(Ripley County)
6:00pm CDT S.C. 1&2. Doniphan City Hall, 124 West Jefferson
Contact Information: Lance Pigg (573) 996-7146
24 Evansville, IN
(Vanderburgh County)
6:00pm CDT S.C. 1&2. Evansville Public Library, Central branch, 200 NW MLK Jr. Blvd.
Contact Information: Terry Brooks (812) 401-9632
25 Chrisney, IN
(Spencer County)
6:30pm CDT S.C. 1&2. Spencer Co. 4H Community Center, 1101 E. State Route 70
Contact Information: Al Perdue (812) 649-6020

For more details on any spotter training classes, you may E-mail Rick Shanklin directly.

This training schedule is subject to change. Please call the appropriate contact person for details, including any last-minute changes to the time or meeting place. The spotter training program is coordinated by Rick Shanklin, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Paducah NWS office. He can be reached at 270-744-6440. Prior training is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to take an advanced training course.


SPOTTER TRAINING AIDS...


EMERGENCY MANAGERS OF WESTERN KY PRESENT AWARD TO NWS:

 

 


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