SKYWARN spotter training

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...

Click here for a guide to estimating wind speed and hail size.
Informational and educational materials, such as spotter training guides and weather safety brochures, are available for ordering from the National Weather Service Headquarters Office of Meteorology web site.
Visit the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma for the latest severe thunderstorm and tornado outlooks and watches, as well as research projects.

EMERGENCY MANAGERS OF WESTERN KY PRESENT AWARD TO NWS:

Western Kentucky Emergency Management Association presents Certificate of Appreciation to the Paducah Weather Forecast Office for service rendered during the May 4 and 6 tornado outbreaks.

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office