Ely fire department hosts free National Weather Service Skywarn Training program July 16 at VCC

The Ely Fire Department is sponsoring a National Weather Service Skywarn training program on Tuesday, July 16 at VCC at 6 p.m.
This program provides training to volunteers in the detection and reporting of life-threatening thunderstorms- those that contain large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
There are 1,700 Skywarn spotters across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin reporting to the Duluth National Weather Service.
The Skywarn training course, taught by NWS meteorologists and staff, covers the following topics:
• The mission of the National Weather Service and how Skywarn spotters play an important role in the warning process.
• Thunderstorm formation and the types of thunderstorms. We’ll study the meteorological dynamics involved in thunderstorm production and what it takes for a storm to produce damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes.
• Thunderstorm detection- signs that spotters can look for in spotting severe weather. This includes types of clouds associated with severe weather, funnels, rotation.
• Procedures for reporting information to the National Weather Service.
• Thunderstorm and tornado safety.
There is no charge for the class which will be held at VCC in room CL104.
For more information contact Fire Chief Tom Erchull at 218-226-5483 or tom.erchull@ely.mn.us.