Posted: Oct 9, 2019, 4:14 PM
Volunteers interested in helping the National Weather Service locate and identify hazardous weather were instructed in how to gather and report information during a Skywarn spotter seminar Wednesday.
Aaron Davis, storm forecaster for the NWS, presented the instructional meet hosted by the Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. BOHSEP Director Ian Snellgrove said attendance for the free event was impressive.
“A large number of those attending included members of the local Civil Air Patrol unit,” Snellgrove said.
Snellgrove said Skywarn is a concept of having volunteers made up of citizens in their community helping the NWS by observing and reporting hazardous weather occurring in their area.
“Volunteers report on conditions that may be below the radar’s capability, and the spotter can see what actually is happening outside. Information includes cloud formation, hail and its size, rain, wind, wind damage and other critical items,” Snellgrove said.
Volunteers learned what information and conditions should be reported and how to make reports. NWS storm forecasters use that information, along with their training and technology, to aid in decisions on forecasting storm development and issuing alerts or warnings.
