Storm spotter training coming to Washington

On Thursday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. the Washington public library will host a storm spotter training.

The training, which is taught through the National Weather Services Quad Cities Storm Spotters teaches participants the basics of storm spotting and what to look for when the weather is at its worst Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen said.

“They go over the science of how storms form and what to watch for and look for if there is a tornado coming, along with what factors go into that,” Reisen said.

Following the completion of the training, participants can register to become an official storm spotter with the NWS. They would then be able to call on a direct line to the NWS if storms are forming.

The NWS Quad Cities Storm Spotters said the class is a wonderful introductory.

“The online course is a great introduction to storm spotting and can also be used as a refresher or a way to reinforce what you have learned in an in-person class.”

The session will last around two hours and is free to anyone that would like to attend.

Reisen says the reason the training is offered is due to the efficiency of storm radar.

“The radar they use, while the technology has come along away, it’s a small picture,” Reisen said. “They can only see what the radar can show them. They really cant see what’s going on at ground level. Storm spotters allow them to get a better picture of what’s actually going on with the weather.”