Storm Spotter Training In Kailua

To assist in keeping the Windward community safe and informed, National Weather Service (NWS) will train SKY-WARN spotters from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 21 at Kainalu Elementary School.

The SKYWARN training is free and the deadline to register is 5 p.m. July 18.

Trained weather spotters can provide timely and accurate reports about severe weather to NWS. Windward Neighborhood Security Watch president Carlene MacPherson explained the importance of weather spotters to the recent hail storms that swept through the area in March.

“NSW knew there was a severe storm going on,” MacPherson said, “but had no idea the hail was coming down as hard as it was, as large as it was and for as long as it was. NWS can see what is going on up in the sky, but down on the ground they may not have the best view.”

Leading the training session will be NWS warning coordination meteorologist Mike Cantin, who will discuss on the basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure, identifying potential severe weather features, what to report, how to report it, and basics in severe weather safety. At the course conclusion, students will receive an ID number to use when they call into the weather service with their storm updates.

“We are the eyes and ears of the NWS,” MacPherson said. “We can see what is going on in our community. The main objectives of the course are how to spot weather activity and how to do it safely.”

To sign up, call MacPherson at 236-1234 or email windwardnsw@yahoo.com.