Severe Weather Spotter Classes Scheduled for Casper, Lander

Are you a person who likes to keep an eye to the sky? The National Weather Service in Riverton will be teaching Severe Weather Spotter training classes in Casper and Lander, hoping to increase the number of weather spotters in both cities.

The class will describe how various severe weather conditions develop, and will outline appropriate safety actions as well as  procedures for identifying and reporting severe weather to the National Weather Service. Students will see videos and digital images from across Wyoming to help the volunteers in correctly identify important storm features.  All course materials will be given to the volunteers, and anyone who is a current weather spotter is encouraged to take the class as a refresher course.

“Our dedicated weather spotters are essential in obtaining reports of severe weather,” said Tim Troutman, warning coordination meteorologist at the Riverton office. “Real-time reports from trained volunteer spotters can improve weather warnings for hail, thunderstorm wind gusts, and tornadoes.  These reports help us accurately pin-point weather hazards, and assist us in providing timely notification of where storm damage is likely to occur.  We are fortunate to have dedicated individuals to help us better protect residents of Wyoming.”

The two-hour training class is free. In Casper, it will be held Thursday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the Izaak Walton League Meeting Lodge on the Fort Caspar Campgrounds.The Lander class will be Monday, April 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the library.

You can find more information on weather spotting at the Riverton National Weather Service website, or by calling the Riverton office toll-free at 1-800-211-1448.