County invites community to become Skywarn Storm Spotters

Join the first quarterly meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) of Los Alamos for Skywarn storm spotter training, administered by the National Weather Service (NWS). This free training session is open to the public. No prior experience is necessary, and the training is free of charge.

Skywarn, a program established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the late 1960s, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding communities from severe weather through a network of over 300,000 trained volunteers. These spotters, individuals with an interest in public services, provide essential "ground truth" to the NWS, enhancing its ability to issue accurate and timely warnings.

The upcoming training session is designed to enable new volunteers to report critical weather observations, which can confirm and enhance weather and flooding alerts issued by NWS technologies. This hands-on experience is invaluable, as it enhances the Los Alamos community's ability to respond effectively to severe weather, complementing the capabilities of advanced technologies like radar and satellites.

Attendees will learn how to safely observe and report weather phenomena, contributing to the effectiveness of the Integrated Warning Team, which includes emergency management, NWS staff, and broadcast media. Their efforts also support the Nation's Disaster declaration process, thereby enhancing Los Alamos County's resilience to natural hazards.

About LEPC: The Local Emergency Planning Committee of Los Alamos is hosted by the Los Alamos County’s Emergency Management Office and is designed to foster partnerships between government agencies, businesses, non-profits, schools, daycare centers, residents, and senior centers to prepare for various hazards. The LEPC hosts quarterly meetings open to everyone, offering a platform to identify and address challenges and resources in planning for and responding to hazardous incidents. For more information visit the webpage at https://losalamosnm.us/LEPC or email staff at lacoem@lacnm.us.

 

When

Location

Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave, Los Alamos,NM, 87544, View Map