The Knox County Emergency Management Agency, in cooperation with the National Weather Service out of Lincoln, Illinois will be hosting a "Weather Spotter Training Class" this spring.

Sever storm spotters are a vital part of the warning process, providing potentially life-saving information to the communities and rural areas of Knox County.  In addition, spotter reports provide NWS forecasters with the first-hand information that is necessary to issue warning and updates during severe weather events.

Topics covered in the spotter training class include:

• Thunderstorm development and features
• Types of Tornadoes, Landspouts and Gustnadoes
• Non-tornadic severe weather
• Resources for Spotters
• Spotter Positioning and Spotter Safety
• Effective Spotter reports

More information regarding NWS Weather Spotters can be found on-line.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this training.  there is no feel for the class.  The class will held on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 6:30 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 East Ferris St (corner of Ferris & Kellogg Streets) in downtown Galesburg.  There is no pres-registration for this class.

Questions regarding this training may be directed to Tom Simkins, Knox County EMA Coordinator, (309) 345-3756 or by email at firechf@ci.galesburg.il.us