Registration is now open for Skywarn severe weather spotter training classes coordinated by Oakland County Homeland Security Division which begin in March. Skywarn is an effort to save lives during severe weather by having a network of well-trained spotters who can accurately observe weather phenomena and identify cloud features that lead to tornadoes and those that do not.
"Only one instrument can detect a tornado or funnel cloud with complete certainty-the human eye," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "While new technological and scientific tools have advanced the capability of meteorologists to predict severe weather, the trained spotter remains essential to the National Weather Service warning process. Trained spotters save lives."
The Skywarn classes cover what kinds of weather phenomenon to report, how to report it, and severe weather safety. Classes are free and last 90 minutes.
"The more trained eyes we have in the field during a severe weather event, the better our service to the public will be," Oakland County Homeland Security Division Manager Thomas Hardesty said.
To register, go to www.OakGov.com/homelandsecurity and click on the Skywarn logo to register or call 248-858-5300. Space is limited.
Upcoming Skywarn spotter training classes will be offered:
- Wednesday, March 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford.
- Saturday, March 24, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford.
- Monday, March 26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield.
- Thursday, April 12, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., City of Rochester Hills City Hall, 1000 Rochester Hills Dr., Rochester Hills.
- Wednesday, April 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Charter Township of Commerce Township Hall, 2009 Township Drive, Commerce Township.
- Thursday, May 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Ortonville Old Town Hall, 476 Mill Street, Ortonville.
Published: Fri, Feb 16, 2018
