Elite Storm Spotter Workshop

Storm spotters are a valuable part of forecasting severe weather. Doppler radar technology is getting better, but it is still not as good as a set of eyeballs. The National Weather Service (and tv meteorologists) use storm spotters to be the "eyes" out in the field.

The NWS holds "Basic" and "Advanced" storm spotter training classes every spring. The classes are free to the public.

This spring the Paducah NWS office is offering a new "Elite Spotter Workshop". The class will last up to four hours. To be eligible to take the class you must have taken the Beginner and Advanced class first. You also must register for the class online at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/register.

Below are the list of all Elite Spotter Workshops scheduled for this spring.

Monday, March 29
Time: 6pm
Where: Hopkinsville Community College - Hopkinsville, KY
Contact: David Powell - (270) 839-0109

Tuesday, March 30
Time: 6pm
Where: Fairfield Police Dept - Fairfield, IL
Contact: Galen Esmon - (618) 847-8169

Monday, April 5
Time: 6pm
Where: Western Kentucky Community & Tech College - Paducah, KY
Contact: Katherine Thomasson - (270) 331-8517

Tuesday, April 6
Time: 6pm
Where: John A. Logan College - Carterville, IL
Contact: Alan Gower - (618) 993-2323

Wednesday, April 7
Time: 6pm
Where: Show Me Center - Cape Girardeau, MO
Contact: Dick Knaupp - (573) 204-2941

Monday, April 12
Time: 6pm
Where: American Red Cross - Evansville, IN
Contact: Terry Brooks - (812) 401-9632

Tuesday, April 13
Time: 6pm
Where: Black River Coliseum - Poplar Bluff, MO
Contact: Ricky Sliger - (573) 686-8686

Thursday, April 15
Time: 6pm
Where: First Baptist Church - Owensboro, KY
Contact: Walter Atherton - (270) 685-8448

For additional information on the Skywarn Spotter Program you can contact Rick Shankling, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Paducah, at (270) 744-6440 ext. 726 or via email: ricky.shanklin@noaa.gov.

I will most likely be attending the Elite Spotter Workshop in Cape Girardeau. It is always good to get a refresher before things start getting really active around here.