Stearns County Offers Free SKYWARN Training to Prepare Local Storm Spotters for Severe Weather Season

(KNSI) – Learn to read the clouds and help keep the community safe by joining a SKYWARN Training session.

Stearns County Emergency Management has scheduled five classes this spring to increase the number of local storm spotters ahead of severe weather season. Those who attend will learn about identifying storm structure and intensity, the signs of tornado development, spotting and monitoring storms safely, and providing spotter reports.

While in-depth, the classes are designed for beginners. Those who get certified as a SKYWARN Weather Spotter are credentialed for life, but emergency managers say spotters should brush up on their skills every couple of years.

The two-hour training sessions will take place between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. in Paynesville on March 19th, Holdingford on March 24th, and Sartell on March 31st. Two cities have classes on April 7th. Waite Park’s will last between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and Sauk Centre between 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The sessions are free, but people must pre-register. To sign up, click here or contact Bob Brezinka via email at robert.brezinka@stearnscountymn.gov.

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