September 07, 2018

You can become a trained storm spotter

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — If you’ve ever wondered how to tell what’s lurking in those clouds overhead on a stormy day, here’s your chance to find out.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Plant and Service Operations is pairing with the National Weather Service to offer Skywarn training sessions on campus.

Learn to read the skies and what to do about it

The Skywarn training is led by meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Ky.

Participants will learn:

  • The fundamentals of a storm structure.
  • How thunderstorms develop.
  • How to identify potential severe weather features.
  • Basic severe weather safety.
  • What information should be reported and how.

Two sessions offered

There will be two separate training sessions on Sept. 18 in the Student Center Auditorium: 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Anyone age 18 or older can participate: emergency responders, faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome.

The workshops are free but pre-registration is required. All who complete the workshop will receive a certificate.

Trained volunteers play important role in public safety

The National Weather Service uses information from trained volunteers to supplement data provided by Doppler radar and other technology when severe storms, flooding and/or tornadoes threaten. These volunteers help save lives.