National Weather Service Offers SKYWARN Training In Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, TEXAS — The National Weather Service is offering a free SKYWARN® severe weather training on Wednesday, April 3.

The training is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Allen R. Baca Center in Round Rock, city officials said. The course is designed to provide citizens, first responders, emergency management, amateur radio operators, and volunteer organizations the opportunity to learn about severe weather preparedness and safety.

Additionally, participants will learn procedures for reporting severe weather to the local Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service Office are also covered. Those completing the training will be official weather spotters for the National Weather Service.

"In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths, and billions in property damage," city officials said in a press advisory. "With 33 counties under the jurisdiction of the Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service, it is extremely important to verify and accurately determine where severe weather is occurring."

Real time reports can save lives and property and post-storm reports help find severe weather damage, tornado tracks, and verify severe weather warnings, officials noted.

The SKYWARN® volunteer program comprises approximately 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. Anyone with an interest in public service is encouraged to attend the training. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches and nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are also encouraged to become a spotter.

More detailed information on the SKYWARN® program and other local training opportunities can be found online.

Williamson County SKYWARN Basic Training

• When: Wednesday, April 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Where: Allen R. Baca Center, 301 W. Bagdad Ave., Round Rock, TX 78664
• Details: Free. Registration is not required.