MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
WICHITA, Kan. — Meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Wichita will host a training session designed to prepare storm spotters and weather enthusiasts for the upcoming severe weather season.
Here is a list of local spotter talks.
- Hutchinson - Feb. 23 - Hutchinson Command and Fire Training Center
- Lyons - Feb. 24 - Celebration Center
- McPherson - Feb. 26 - McPherson Opera House
- Pratt - March 4 - Pratt County Safety Building - 7 p.m.
- Kingman - March 18 - Kingman Events Center
- Stafford - March 18 - Stafford County Annex - 6 p.m.
All presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
The presentation will provide an in-depth look at the science behind severe storms, including how they form and the atmospheric conditions that contribute to their development. Forecasters will cover a range of storm types, from supercells and squall lines to tornado-producing systems common across south-central Kansas.
Attendees will learn how to identify key storm features that signal potential severity, such as wall clouds, rotating updrafts, large hail cores and damaging straight-line winds. Meteorologists will also explain how radar is used to detect hazardous weather and how real-time reports from trained spotters can enhance warning operations.
A significant portion of the training will focus on severe weather safety and best practices for reporting hazardous conditions. Participants will receive guidance on when and how to report information such as hail size, wind damage and tornado sightings to the Weather Service.
The session is intended for both new and experienced spotters, as well as anyone interested in better understanding severe weather and how to stay safe during storm season.
Severe weather awareness week is March 2 - 6.