Severe weather spotter course

Listen to this radio story (MP3 download) or read below.

Radio interview source: Jeff Johnson, warning coordination meteorologist, National Weather Service

I've been through my share of severe weather, and have even seen a couple tornadoes, although none that did any damage. I hate being caught out near the pond or in the pasture when a storm is brewing. The environment changes dramatically in a short period of time, and these changes can catch you by surprise. Even with all the technology used by the National Weather Service, radar simply cannot tell us everything we need to know.

The organization depends on local storm spotters to report the most complete picture of what's really happening. So every spring, it offers weather classes to teach people what to look for.

Jeff Johnson is a trainer at the National Weather Service, and says storm spotters are their eyes and ears in the field. Folks who live in the country are a natural fit for the job.