The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office / Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is hosting a “SkyWarn” Storm Spotter training on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.  

SkyWarn is a program the National Weather Service (NWS) uses to improve severe storm warnings. Trained volunteers serve as storm spotters, passing on vital "ground truth" information to forecasters during times of severe weather. They are the eyes and ears not only for forecasters, but for their whole community.

SkyWarn volunteers come from all walks of life, but they all have generally two things in common:  an interest in the weather, and an interest in serving their community. Organizations frequently involved in the effort include:

·         emergency management, and volunteers

·         law enforcement

·         fire departments or rescue squads

·         amateur radio operators

·         dispatchers

The classes last about two hours, and provide information about storm safety, storm structure and recognition, and what information to report to the NWS. Any person or organization can become a SkyWarn spotter, but must first receive training from the National Weather Service. 

The class will be held at the Sheriff’s Office at 911 Chambers Drive, Conyers. 

To register for the class, contact Capt. Myra Pearrell at 770-278-8112 or myra.pearrell@rockdalecounty.org.