Community Members Turn Out For Skywarn Training

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency hosted a Skywarn Training session this evening.

Some of the topics covered included severe weather basics, storm structure, how to report, and understanding of severe weather.

“Basically we try to set up a whole network of people all across the area that we forecast and warn for, that give us reports for thunderstorms; whether it be hail, wind damage, and tornadoes. And then in the winter also snow fall reports so that we have some ground truth to go behind the forecasts and warnings that we issue,” said Meteorologist Mike Fries from the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.

Fries explains that once someone completes the required training, they receive all of the necessary contact information– emails, phone numbers, etc.– to reach out to the National Weather Service directly with any observations they may have. They also receive access to automated systems that feed directly into the systems of the National Weather Service.

Fries adds that spotters in our community are especially important because Muskingum County is the furthest west county for which they report, and is over 100 miles away from the radar just outside of Pittsburgh. The beam rises as it moves away from the radar, and by the time it reaches Muskingum County, it’s already a couple miles off of the ground– which means they don’t have the ability to see anything below that radar.

WHIZ Meteorologist Phil Sakal says weather watchers are imperative to his job as well, and one of his biggest assets during severe weather season. He encourages them to contact him directly as well with their observations, in addition to notifying the National Weather Service..

“Storm spotters can contact me directly at the station through my Facebook page Phil Sakal – WHIZ or my Twitter account @psakalwx. That’s probably the best way to get hold of me,” said Sakal.

For more information regarding severe weather, visit the Muskingum County EMA’s website at ema.muskingumcounty.org.