[PPRAANet] SKYWARN weather spotter training

[Pam Scott]

Just in case you didn't know about the training...


Pam Scott, W0PRS
PPRAA Treasurer and Megafest Co-Chair
www.ppraa.org

> 
> Greetings,
> 
> 1)  Earlier this year the NWS published an updated SKYWARN Weather Spotter Guide...
> 
> http://www.weather.gov/os/brochures/SGJune6-11.pdf
> 
> Please check it out.
> 
> 2)  A reminder:  ON-LINE SKYWARN Weather Spotter training has been available for several months.
> 
> I encourage everyone, both current and potential NWS Pueblo volunteer weather spotters, to take the on-line courses.  By taking advantage of the on-line courses, you can learn whenever and wherever it is most convenient for you.  
> 
> Remember, a person does NOT need to take the on-line courses, or the face-to-face SKYWARN session, in order to be a basic volunteer weather spotter, who provides rain and snow totals, and hail size.  However, it is important to take the on-line courses, or the face-to-face SKYWARN session, in order to learn about thunderstorm structure, which enables you to recognize cloud features which are precursors to high wind or tornado development.
> 
> The National SKYWARN Spotter Training Course is now available on COMET's MetEd web site.  You must register for an account, via one of the web pages below, in order to take the training.
> 
> The first module is "Role of the SKYWARN Spotter", which provides baseline training for all spotters. An overview of the national program and its history is presented with an example of an event that greatly influenced the growth of the SKYWARN program. Through multiple scenarios, procedures for making spotter reports, including communication and storm report criteria, are modeled with best practices for maintaining personal safety outlined.  This module includes photographs, video, audio narration, and a companion print version. 
> 
> http://www.meted.ucar.edu/spotter_training/spotter_role/ 
> 
> The second module is "SKYWARN Spotter Convective Basics".  
> 
> http://www.meted.ucar.edu/spotter_training/convective/ 
> 
> NOTE:  Most COMET modules use JavaScript and Adobe® Flash® for navigation, animation, and/or presentation of multimedia elements. Ensure that you have a browser updated to its latest version with JavaScript enabled and the latest version of the Adobe FlashPlayer installed (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/). For technical support for this module please visit the Registration and Support FAQs at https://www.meted.ucar.edu/resources_faq.php.
> 
> In the future, the NWS plans to create additional modules for winter weather, flooding, etc. The overarching spotter training plan through our partnership with COMET is to create a suite of modules that address numerous hazards that will make this SKYWARN training course our standard nationwide.  
> 
> *** If you know someone who may be interested in being a SKYWARN spotter, please forward this email ***
> 
> With these on-line training courses now available, ALL NWS local forecast offices, including Pueblo, will be scaling back on the number of face-to-face SKYWARN training sessions.  In addition to face-to-face training, live video webinar sessions will be offered.  We will also be serving your areas in a new weather decision support role, which means assisting local emergency services with more detailed forecast information when hazardous weather threatens to better accomplish our mission of protecting life and property.  
> 
> The SKYWARN Weather Spotter face-to-face training schedule is on our Web site...
>  
>  http://www.weather.gov/pueblo
>  
>  under "Top News of the Day".  It is likely no additional sessions will be scheduled this year.
>  
>  *** It is VERY IMPORTANT that you RSVP to me, regarding the specific training you are attending.  With the more regional concept of face-to-face training, we need an accurate count of how many people will attend, since a few of the venues could reach near capacity. ***
>   
> 3)  The National Weather Service in Pueblo has a Facebook page.  Please consider clicking the link below and then "like" us.  
> 
> http://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Pueblo.gov
> 
> Each NWS office will likely have an official NWS Twitter account you can follow by April.
> 
> In the meantime, I have a work related Twitter account.  Consider following me by going to...
> 
> http://twitter.com/tlmagnuson
> 
> Our forecast staff is required to monitor Twitter while on shift.  I am looking for your suggestions regarding key partners to follow on Twitter.   This is often the first indication that something is up in our area.
> 
> Thanks for your continuing volunteer support.
> 
> Tom
> 
> ************************************************
> Tom Magnuson – Warning Coordination Meteorologist
> National Weather Service Pueblo
> 3 Eaton Way
> Pueblo, Colorado  81001-4856
> 719-948-9429 x726
> 
> NWS Pueblo FB   http://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Pueblo.gov
> Meteorologist Tom Magnuson FB  
> http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002397639041
> Tom's Twitter  http://twitter.com/tlmagnuson
> 
> 
> ************************************************