Want to be a Weather Spotter?

The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with McHenry County College, is presenting a free “SEVERE WEATHER SPOTTERS CLASS” on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the McHenry County College Conference Center. There will be two sessions with the afternoon session from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM and the evening session from 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.

Guest Speakers for this event will include: McHenry County Emergency Management Director Barry Valentine and Mr. Jim Allsopp from the National Weather Service.

Barry Valentine will be discussing the procedures that are implemented at the McHenry County Government Center in the instance of severe weather. This will be followed by Mr. Jim Allsopp discussing the nature of severe weather systems, the do’s and don’ts during severe weather, how to report severe weather to the National Weather Service, and the role of the National Weather Service.

The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency (MCEMA) does ask that individuals register in advance. The course is free.

Register by phone at 815.338.6400 or complete the online form to be found on the County's website at http://co.mchenry.il.us/ Click on Departments, click on E, and then click on Emergency Management. Then click on the blue llink for Emergency Weather Spotters Courses; print the form, complete it and fax it to the MCEMA.

OK, so maybe it won't be like being a Storm Chaser for weather.com, but you could learn something and be helpful.