Tazewell County storm spotters wanted as thunderstorm, tornado season approaches

While central Illinois weather is unpredictable, and thunderstorms can occur any time of the year, spring is the time when storm activity typically increases.

With that in mind, the National Weather Service is looking to increase the pool of local storm spotters.

Tazewell County Emergency Management Agency director Dawn Cook described storm spotters as “eyes and ears in the field” for EMA and NWS.

Tazewell County storm spotters observe severe weather condition developing in their area and report them to the TCEMA or NWS.

“Storm spotters can directly see what is occurring in a particular location to verify what is being seen on radar,” Cook said.

NWS will host a free “Severe Weather Storm Spotting” class March 28 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel. The session will begin at 6:30 p.m. NWS lead meteorologist Ed Shimon will lead the session, which is open to anyone with an interest in severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

EMA will provide information for anyone interested in volunteering with the agency.

“We have a search and rescue team, a unified command post team and a communications team who are all looking to add new members,” Cook said.

The class will cover storm formation, types of clouds, personal safety during severe weather, and observation of pictures to describe storms and their intensity.

Attendees 18 years of age or older will receive information on becoming certified storm spotters. More information is available at www.weather.gov.

This article originally appeared on Pekin Daily Times: Tazewell storm spotters wanted as severe weather season approaches