Learn The Basics Of Weather Spotting From Will County EMA

PLAINFIELD, IL — Have you ever wanted to be a weather spotter? Well, here's your chance. The Will County Emergency Management Agency will hold a free two-hour training on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Plainfield Central High School to teach the fundamentals of weather spotting in severe weather.

In addition a large network of amateur weather spotters, local airports, the military, local and national media outlets and the National Weather Service all rely on volunteers to provide real-time weather updates during thunderstorms, hailstorms, tornadoes, flash floods and snow and ice storms.

"Even as new technology allows the National Weather Service to issue warnings with more lead time, spotters will always be needed as links between radar indications of severe weather and ground truth," national weather officials say. "Storm Spotter volunteers serve as severe weather spotters for the NWS and local emergency management programs, and generally have two things in common - an interest in the weather and a desire to serve their community."

The free training class is scheduled for Feb. 20, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is free, but registration is required. If you're interested, you can register here.

Image via Shutterstock