Weather service hoping to spot some volunteers

If you’ve seen the movie “Twister” and thought you might be able to replace Helen Hunt or Bill Paxton — now’s your chance. The National Weather Service is holding spring training courses for its “weather spotters.” Weather Service Meteorologist Shane Searcy says human spotters on the ground are an important part of the Iowa’s weather warning system. Searcy says even the most advanced radar has its limitation. Searcy says volunteers join a network of weather professionals, police, firefighters and emergency management personnel who also serve as spotters. He says you don’t need a lot of special skills to be a spotter. There are several training courses set up across the state. The courses provide instruction on storm spotting and reporting. Contact your county emergency management director to find the time of a spotter-training course in your area.