More than 30 individuals took part in Wednesday evening’s SKYWARN Weather Spotter Training at the Benedum Civic Center. Facilitated by Director of Bridgeport Emergency Services Laura Pysz and WBOY Chief Meteorologist Bryan Schuerman, the class was taught by Dylan Thomas of the National Weather Service in Charleston.

 

Those completing the class became official weather spotters for the National Weather Service. Thomas explained the importance of the eyewitness reports provided by those spotters and how that helps the National Weather Service develop accurate forecasts and establish warnings and watches.

 

Some topics were storm formation and duration, identifying potentially severe clouds, accurate measure of hail and snowfall and tornado origin and safety, among others. Pysz said more than 80 had registered for the class, but ironically it is likely that the threat of severe weather that evening prevented some from venturing out to the class. Still, the class was considered very well attended. Participants received a weather spotters’ field guide, cloud identification chart and other handouts. The class and materials were provided free of charge to participants.

 

For information on future opportunities to take the SKYWARN Weather Spotters class, visit http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/contact.htm.