Storm Spotter Training dates announced for 2020

(TULSA, Okla.) Throughout eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas, trained and dedicated individuals monitor the skies around their communities during severe weather events. These storm spotters provide first-hand severe weather reports to their local officials, and to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, which are used to make critical warning decisions. Being a storm spotter not only means dedication but also training. Each winter and spring the Tulsa office of the National Weather Service trains members of police & fire departments, emergency management officials, and amateur radio operators on spotting techniques. Typically, the training is coordinated by a local group (such as an emergency management agency) and a NWS meteorologist serves as the guest instructor. The goal of the training is not just to recognize tornadoes, but to have some understanding of storm structure, which in turn better prepares the spotter for the extreme and unusual circumstances. Other topics covered include an update on the latest NWS technology and procedures, ideas for organizing/coordinating spotter groups, and important safety considerations.

The training is free and requires no preregistration. The meetings listed below are open to the public. The calendar will be updated as sessions are added to the schedule. Wednesday January 22 Benton County Siloam Springs 6:00 pm Siloam Springs High School Saturday January 25 Rogers County Claremore 9:00 am County Courthouse Tuesday January 28 Choctaw County Hugo TBD TBD Monday February 3 Pushmataha County Antlers 6:30 pm Choctaw Community Center Tuesday February 4 Latimer County Wilburton 7:00 pm Salt of the Earth Church Monday February 10 Delaware County Grove 7:00 pm Seneca-Cayuga Community Building Thursday February 13 Pittsburg County McAlester 7:00 pm Emergency Operations Center Monday February 17 Creek County Mounds 7:00 pm Fire Department Tuesday February 18 Craig County Vinita 6:00 pm Fairgrounds/Community Center Thursday February 20 Okmulgee County Okmulgee 7:00 pm Green Country Technology Center Tuesday February 25 Sequoyah County Sallisaw 7:00 pm Emergency Management Office Thursday February 27 Tulsa County Sperry 7:00 pm Armory Saturday February 29 Washington County OK Bartlesville 9:00 am Arvest Community Room Monday March 2 Tulsa County Broken Arrow TBD TBD Monday March 9 Sebastian County Fort Smith 630 pm EOC, 8400 Zero Street Wednesday March 11 Benton County TBD 7:00 pm TBD Link to calendar here: https://www.weather.gov/tsa/spotter_training For additional information contact: Ed Calianese Warning Coordination Meteorologist 10159 East 11th Street, Suite 300 Tulsa, OK 74128 918-838-7838 e-mail: ed.calianese@noaa.gov