The class is being sponsored by Cleveland-Bradley County Emergency Management Agency and will feature meteorologists from the National Weather Service.
During the past 10 months, Bradley County has experienced two tornado events.
The first of the storm events took lives and cost millions of dollars in property damage. The most recent, March 2, caused an estimated $3 million in damage.
According to Bob Gault, spokesperson for the Amateur Communications Service, which is under the CBCEMA umbrella, the class will be held in the Science and Math Complex at Lee University at 6 p.m.
Last year’s instruction on how to spot and determine cloud formations which could cause tornadic and thunderstorm events drew approximately 60 enthusiasts. It was held a few days prior to the April 27, 2011, tornadoes.
“We expect more this year due to the fact we had the April 2011 storms and now a winter tornado a couple of weeks ago,” Gault said.
“Those completing the class receive a two-year certification in the national SkyWarn program,” he added. “SkyWarn is the NWS network of volunteer storm spotters who have received training to report significant weather events to their local office. Spotters are used as extra eyes and ears for NWS forecasters and emergency management officials reporting conditions beyond the ability of Doppler radar in some terrain to detect what’s happening on the ground below a storm cell. This information is then used in conjunction with other technologies to determine the severity of storms and whether people in its path should be warned.”
Bradley County has been honored the with distinction of a “Storm-Ready” community by NWS.
Weather preparedness and mitigation as well as a number of defined watch and warning public information systems are in place.
ACS members are a critical component in weather spotting and reporting.
Attendees will learn how to properly pass information to NWS concerning storm activity which could create a watch being elevated to a warning.
There is no charge to attend the class.
For additional information, contact CBCEMA at 728-7289.
