The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and National Weather Service (NWS) are holding in-person SKYWARN Storm Spotter training on Thursday, October 24, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers (700 Poplar Street). A Storm Spotter is someone who understands the basics of storm development and structure, how to identify potential severe weather features, and how to report the information to the National Weather Service. 

“Storm spotters form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather,” says Special Projects Officer Sophie Rosen.  

Information they gather is reported directly to the NWS, and it’s used in conjunction with radar technology and satellite imagery to better understand the scope of a weather event. Since the program started in the 1970s, storm spotters have enabled the NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods.   

“We want to provide people as many opportunities as possible for them to understand the weather in Middle Georgia,” adds Rosen. “The more individuals trained to report weather information, the quicker we’ll have accurate weather information.”  

The NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service to join the program. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers, and other concerned people.  

Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mbcstormspotter.