ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Do you know how to report or distinguish between a funnel cloud and a tornado?
The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Spotter Program is here to equip you with the knowledge and skills to be a vital part of the nation's weather monitoring efforts.
According to Ben Nelson from the NWS, the Storm Spotter Program is crucial, with hundreds of thousands of individuals serving as the eyes and ears on the ground. While doppler radar technology provides a powerful remote view of storms, it is not foolproof. Radars sometimes miss out on the base of a thunderstorm where severe weather, particularly tornadoes, occurs.
This is where having eyes on the ground becomes invaluable.
The best part? You don't need to be a meteorologist to become a storm spotter. According to Nelson, all you need is a general interest in the weather, as the training sessions are only a couple of hours each.
Logan Parham, a Storm Spotter, emphasizes the importance of resources like Skywarn™ to learn about weather and recognize signs of severe weather in your area.
Skywarn™ is the nationwide network of volunteers trained by the NWS to report significant weather events. Their mission aligns with the NWS's overarching goal of protecting lives and property from dangerous weather events through accurate forecasts and warning notifications.
As stated on the NWS website, Skywarn™ spotters contribute by relaying ground truth weather observation reports to their local NWS office. These reports are instrumental in enhancing the NWS's ability to provide better weather watch and warning services.
Anyone interested in becoming a storm spotter can attend training sessions held across the First Coast.
While this week's class was in St. Johns County, future classes are scheduled throughout the region. You can find the full schedule here.