City Offering Storm Spotter Training

Remember last summer's massive storms — the ones that knocked down trees, flooded streets and cut power?

There's no way to prevent the storms from striking, but if you're interested in learning how to anticipate their arrival, the city is offering a workshop for you Feb. 21.

Along with the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, the city is hosting a storm spotter training class for first responders as well as other interested members of the public.

Related: Predicting Mother Nature's whims block by block

According to a press release from the city, "attendees will learn to become an integral part of a community’s front line early weather warning system. Learn why we need spotters, severe weather terminology, what to report and severe weather safety. Attendees will also learn about supercells, land spouts, night spotting and more."

The class is geared toward people who work in fields where it's important to know a storm is coming, such as public safety, public works and health care workers.

The free class will be held at 7 p.m. at the  Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. 4th Floor, Parasol Room. For more information, visit the city's webpage on the class.