Miami University is a recognized National Weather Service (NWS) “StormReady University.”

This year, training classes for the National Weather Service Skywarn Spotter program can be taken virtually on Feb. 22 or March 24 at 6 p.m. Training is free and open to anyone, but registration is required.

The courses are about two hours long and are led by a meteorologist from the regional NWS office in Wilmington, Ohio. Those taking part will learn:

• Basics of thunderstorm development
• Fundamentals of storm structure
• Identifying potential severe weather features
• Information to report
• How to report information
• Basic severe weather safety

Spotters are important to the NWS because even modern weather radar has significant limitations at seeing what's happening at ground level, while spotters can report and verify actual conditions quickly.

For the spotter class schedule, and to register, go to:  https://www.weather.gov/iln/spottertrainingschedule.

Want to know more about the Storm Spotter training? Go to https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN.