Meteorologist Mark Strehl Shares Weather Spotting Tips in New Lenox

When FOX Chicago News meteorologist Mark Strehl was in sixth grade, TV weatherman Harry Volkman came to his hometown in Ottawa, Ill., to talk about the work.

Fast forward to Tuesday night, and it was Strehl speaking to about 350 people who packed Lincoln-Way Central to learn about servere weather spotting. Jim Allsopp with the National Weather Service joined Strehl as attendees learned the basics such as the difference between a watch and a warning and more complex subject matter including the life cycle of a thunderstorm and different behaviors of wind and clouds.

One of the most interesting and perhaps vital tips the crowd learned was how to spot a tornado. The speakers said many people, including trained spotters, often mistake what are known as “scud” clouds for tornados. However, they lack several key components that define a tornado; scud clouds usually don’t reach all the way to the ground, they typically don’t have smooth and gradually sloping sides and most significantly do not have any rotational movement to them. 

“If it don’t spin," Allsopp said, "Don't call it in.”

Allsopp also pointed out that the National Weather Service relies on spotters to confirm what radar is showing, explaining that radar can not see what is happening on the ground—only higher up in the atmosphere. That would include reporting conditions such as flash floods.

“Part of the reason we do this is as a requirement of our storm ready community status,” said organizer Dan Martin, Public Saftey Division Chief with the .

One of those attending was New Lenox resident and teacher Kim Villani. She was returning for her second weather spotting class, this time bringing her parents from Tinley Park.

“I'm interested to learn terminology and be prepared to know what to look for and what to do,” Villani said after the program. "Now when an event or a storm is coming, I know what to look for (and I'm) more aware of what isn't a big deal.”

Several Boy Scout leaders also brought their scouts to learn more about storms and other severe weather. Brian Pigney, a leader with Troop 12 based out of the United Methodist Church, said it's important for the children to be prepared and see what the National Weather Serivce does.

“They all sat there and paid attention the whole time,” fellow scout leader Keith Bateman said, apparently a remarkable feat for the 30 scouts they, along with Scout Master Tim Kolacki, brought. Most of the scouts were also working toward a weather merit badge.

Also part of the evening's events was a health and safety expo held before the weather spotting program. In addition to a variety of health care organizations including Athletico, Silver Cross Hospital and Chiro One, a number of public service groups were present.

Among that diverse group were Metra's Operation Lifesaver, New Lenox Police Department's Community Emergency Response Team and ShareFest. Briding the gap between the two were the American Red Cross, Nation Saftey Council and the Will County Health Department. All together, there were about 30 groups represented.