DIXON – Spring weather approaching means the potential for strong thunderstorms. To help keep the public safe, a storm spotter training class will be held in Dixon this week.

The class will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20. at 6:30 p.m., in lecture hall LK04 at Sauk Valley Community College. The class will be presented by the National Weather Service of Chicago, and co-sponsored by both the Ogle and Lee County Emergency Management Agencies.

The class is free and open to the public, but emergency service agencies are urging safety officers, such as police and firemen, to attend. The class will teach guests what to look for when weather is approaching and if that weather could be severe.

“The National Weather Service will give a presentation on what the weather is doing,” said Kevin Lalley, director of Lee County emergency service agency. “It will go over different cloud formations, which are the dangerous ones and which are imposters. So, individuals can have a good idea of when to take cover before the storm hits.”

Information on becoming a weather spotter and who to report incidents to will also be provided at the meeting. The main goal of this training class is to help keep individuals safer by noticing approaching severe weather before it impacts the area.

“For example, if a person is out on the soccer field with the kids and that person looks up at the sky, he or she can get a heads up if they should get off the field and take cover,” said Lalley.

The training course has room for about 126 people to attend and fills up almost every year. There is no registration and seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendees are urged to show up early to ensure they get a spot.

For more information on the upcoming course, contact Kevin Lalley, director of the Lee County Emergency Service agency at 815-284-3365, by email at esda@countyoflee.org, or Thomas Richter, director of Ogle County emergency service agency, at 815-562-1001 or by email at trichter@oglecounty.org.