Learning to read the clouds

Meteorologist Jon Chamberlain of the National Weather Service (NWS) in Rapid City, SD presented a crash course last week on reading cloud formations to determine the severity of storms before they arrive and whether they carry rain, hail and/or the possibility of tornadoes.

Chamberlain introduced pictures and short videos from around the area to demonstrate real situations and the conditions above us that create funnels (possible beginnings of tornadoes before they touch ground) and so much more.

This class introduced people to spotter training for the NWS: volunteers who may call in adverse weather conditions from the ground. There are two categories of spotters; most are simply in a position to see some type of potential danger and call it into the NWS, the second group consists of a number of volunteers who continue to train and volunteer as official spotters who are on a contact list with the NWS for storm reference purposes.

The Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Department hosted the hour-long event with the majority in attendance firefighters and other first responders. The information brought a better understanding of the weather on Wyoming's side of the Black Hills.

After the presentation, guests were invited to take home a short form to become an official spotter with the NWS.