Think Spring: Springtime in Northeast Ohio is Severe Weather Preparedness Time
| Plan now to attend a Free Storm Spotter Class sponsored by the Cleveland Office of the National Weather Service. The class will be held Wendesday, March 17, 2010, 6:30 PM at the Stark State College Student Center, 6200 Frank Ave. SW, North Canton. No previous experience is necessary and pre-registration is not required. The class is approximately 2 hours in length. | |
Spring in Northeast Ohio. Green trees. Chirping birds. Tee-shirts. Fresh air.
But there is a dark side to spring weather, too. Spring in northeast Ohio can also mean severe thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rains, flash flooding, and even tornadoes.
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| Supercell Thunderstorms are a fairly common occurance over northeast Ohio skies during the spring and summer months. Supercells often produce damaging winds, large hail, intense lightning, and tornadoes. Photo copyright University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Used with permission. |
Throughout the week, various state and local emergency management officials, as well as NOAA and the National Weather Service, will provide educational opportunities, exercises, and publications to help us all prepare for severe weather. Through their efforts, the public will have an opportunity to educated themselves and learn how to avoid becoming a severe weather victim.
Topics covered will include:
- Severe Weather Terms
- Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety
- Floods and Flood Insurance Information
- Tornado Safety and Preparedness
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Excessive Heat
- And MORE!
The statewide Tornado Drill will be held on March 24 at 9:50 AM. During the drill, all public schools, as well as NOAA Weather Radio station KDO-94 at the Akron Canton Regional Airport, will test tornado warning procedures and preparedness.Local businesses, organizations, and child care centers are also encouraged to participate.
Official Storm Spotter Training
For those interested in becoming a "Storm Spotter", the National Weather Service will be conducting classes across the state. Locally, a class will be held on March 17 at 6:30 PM at the Student Center, Stark State College. Anyone with an interest is welcome to attend. There is no charge for the class and no pre-registration is required. Just show up to attend the class.
Other counties will also be conducting storm spotter training through the month. Visit the Ohio Storm Spotter Training Calendar for a complete list of classes, dates, and times.
