The SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program trains citizens to become official weather spotters and report severe and hazardous weather in their neighborhood. These reports are used by meteorologists to make life-saving warning decisions. The NWS needs real-time reports of hail size, wind damage, flash flooding, heavy rain, tornadoes, and waterspouts to effectively warn the public of inclement weather. Storm Spotter volunteers generally have two things in common - an interest in the weather and a desire to serve their community.

 

According to the South Carolina State Climatology office, between 1955 and 2016 Dorchester County experienced 287 severe wind events, 78 severe hail events, and 17 tornadoes (1950 -2016). Residents who complete this training will be able to play a key role in warning the community about future dangerous storms.

 

Dorchester County Director of Emergency Management, Mario Formisano said “the radar does not paint a clear picture for exactly what is happening during inclement weather and for this reason, storm spotters are critical a resource to the weather service to help initiate weather warnings and collect valuable storm data.”

 

You do not have to be a Dorchester County resident to attend. Registration is not required.

 

For more information visit weather.gov/skywarn or contact David Amann, Dorchester County Preparedness and Recovery Specialist at (843) 832-0341.