Storm Spotter Training Planned Feb. 20th in Fairfield

The National Weather Service (NWS) will soon be in town for a free severe weather training session.

Last year brought a variety of severe weather; including hail up to three inches in diameter in the spring and summer months and flash flooding in the fall months.

The 2019 severe weather season is not too far away, and the NWS and local emergency management officials want you to be ready.

To get prepared, you are invited to the most recent SKYWARN Storm Spotter class, a free severe weather class on Wednesday, February 20th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Conference Center in Fairfield, held in partnership with Freestone County Emergency Management.

This class is offered for organized storm spotters, anyone with an interest in severe weather, and/or anyone who wants to learn more about severe weather threats in North and Central Texas and how to be prepared.

This is part of the regional severe weather preparedness campaign, which will include spotter training sessions across forty-six counties in North and Central Texas.

The class is free of charge and no pre-registration is necessary.

This year’s program will feature an in-depth review and study of the various threats posed by severe thunderstorms; and will also review thunderstorm characteristics and features associated with severe and non-severe storms. Additionally, the program highlights severe weather safety and how you can report severe weather information back to the NWS and local public safety officials.

“By coming to this training session, you will gain a better understanding of Texas’ severe weather season,” says Tom Bradshaw, Meteorologist-in-Charge of the NWS Fort Worth Office. “Waiting until storms are on your doorstep is not the time to start thinking about severe weather preparedness. We hope you attend these free sessions to learn more about the severe storms that impact the region every year.”

NWS in Fort Worth provides forecasts, warnings, and weather services for forty-six counties in North and Central Texas. For more info visit http://www.weather.gov/fortworth.