In preparation for tornado season, the National Weather Service announced they would be launching a series of classes for Oklahomans that are interested in learning more about severe weather.
Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist for the Severe Weather Service’s Norman office, said meteorologists hold these training sessions annually.
“Weather is so unpredictable, especially severe weather systems like storms, [and] it is important to know how to protect you in those situations,” Smith said. “Even experienced storm spotters can find themselves in dangerous situations. It’s not a television show or movie, it’s real life.”
This year, however, they have decided to provide more than one training session in various locations around Oklahoma and Texas. They will also be offering four online training sessions, according to NewsOK.
“Workshops would help Oklahomans be more aware of signs of tornados and how to be prepared before they hit,” Katie Ostlund, an Oklahoma Christian University senior, said. “It is important to know how to deal with the situation not only before but after the fact. Especially for schools and children. Overall a workshop would prepare Oklahomans to be ready for any type of storm.”
Ostlund said she has seen her fair share of tornadoes throughout her life, but is not particularly interested in attending the training sessions.
“I feel prepared enough for when a tornado comes that I know what to do,” Ostlund said, “I have lived in this area for a while and have seen enough to know how to be ready in such situations.”
While the training sessions are designed for storm spotters, they are open to anyone and everyone who is interested in learning more about storms and how they affect the atmosphere before, during and after they occur. The training sessions are free. To register for online sessions or for more information, visit Weather.gov/norman.
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