Ball State students might soon have the opportunity to help the National Weather Service spot dangerous storms through a series of free training classes this month.
Meteorology professor David Arnold, who teaches the classes, said these workshops will train volunteers on how to prepare for potentially severe weather, to identify storm features and to report these characteristics to the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency.
"We're offering this training because March is usually the beginning of the severe thunderstorm and tornado season," Arnold said.
The beginning class, which was held Thursday, introduced Ball State students and volunteers from around Indiana to the basics of storm spotting. About 15 Ball State students attended this session, Arnold said.
The intermediate class will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday in Cooper Science Building Room 160. The advanced class will also be taught at the same time and place March 11.
Arnold said he will be reviewing the basic concepts he taught in the beginning class during the intermediate class, so students who join the training Thursday will not be left behind.
"We have some people who attend these every year to brush up, and others who have no background on the topic," Arnold said. "Anyone out there is going to be an asset."
The National Weather Service's radar system doesn't reveal everything, so spotters will be helpful in providing additional information to aid them in issuing warnings, he said.
Bill Gosnell, director of the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, which co-sponsored the workshops with the Department of Geography, said having spotters who are trained is a critical part of its early warning system.
Indiana lies in the largest region for high-ranking tornadoes and severe weather, Gosnell said.
"Since Dr. Arnold started the meteorology program, we have had a large crowd of interested students," Gosnell said. "These workshops are open to students and the public in order to get as many trained storm spotters on the street as possible."
The National Weather Service will also give a severe weather presentation from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. March 13 at Center Township Volunteer Fire Department's North Station.
"I encourage students to come to the classes and learn about severe weather," Gosnell said. "They should then have a better awareness of what storm spotting is all about and should be able to help our community."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
