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National Weather Service announces storm spotter training sessions for 2024

Sunset in Cheyenne after thunderstorms June 26, 2020. (National Weather Service Cheyenne, Twitter)

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has rolled out its 2024 SkyWarn Storm Spotter Training Series, offering a blend of virtual and in-person sessions across southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska. This initiative aims to bolster severe weather preparedness by equipping volunteers with the knowledge to provide accurate severe weather reports.

Launching with an advanced spotter training in Lusk on April 8, the series will continue with sessions in Cheyenne on April 23 and May 7 focusing on both basic and advanced storm spotting techniques. Laramie County Emergency Management will facilitate these trainings, aiming to enhance community safety and awareness.

Virtual training options on April 30 and May 9 will allow broader participation, with pre-registration required for these online sessions conducted via GoTo Webinar.

The SKYWARN program, established by the NWS, leverages nearly 290,000 trained volunteers to help safeguard their local communities through timely and accurate severe weather reports. These spotters play a critical role in identifying severe local storms, contributing to the NWS’s ability to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.

The NWS encourages participation from a broad spectrum of community members, including those involved in public service and individuals with access to communication tools like HAM radio. The training is free, is open to the public and requires no previous experience, making it accessible to everyone from first responders to concerned citizens.

The training sessions will cover a range of topics, from thunderstorm development to severe weather safety, designed to last about an hour and a half to two hours. For those unable to attend this year’s sessions, annual trainings are held mainly in the spring, with online learning options available for continuous education.

Participants interested in registering or seeking additional details are advised to contact Rob Cox at the NWS in Cheyenne. You can email him or call at 307-772-2468.


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