Media Release

10:48 a.m.

 

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Severe weather is a fact of life in Florida, and Alachua County Emergency Management is looking for volunteers to serve as SKYWARN Storm Spotters.  SKYWARN Storm Spotters are individuals who are trained by the National Weather Service (NWS) to spot severe weather conditions before severe weather strikes.  Alachua County Emergency Management, in cooperation with the NWS Jacksonville, will be sponsoring a combined basic and advanced SKYWARN Storm Spotter class on Thursday, August 21, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The class will be held at the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center located at 1100 SE 27th St. in Gainesville.

 

The SKYWARN Spotter Program is a nationwide network of volunteers trained by the NWS to report significant weather. Anyone is welcome to participate.  Even with advancements in technology, such as Doppler radar, the National Weather Service and Alachua County Emergency Management rely on Storm Spotters to act as their eyes and ears by helping verify weather conditions that are indicated on radar.

 

Participants will learn about the atmospheric conditions that occur before severe weather strikes.  They will also learn what to report, when to report, and correct reporting procedures when calling in severe weather events to the local NWS office.

 

For more information or to register, email Alachua County Emergency at acem@alachuacounty.us or call 352-264-6500.

-30-