Federal Budget Cuts May Hit Weather Spotter Training Classes

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO (KTVI)– A key part of the weather warning process may be on the budget chopping block.

Big federal cut-backs after the first of the year threaten to end or greatly reduce the number of storm spotter classes offered by the national weather service. 

Those classes give dedicated volunteers the necessary training to identify storms that may produce high winds or tornadoes. 

Without the training, forecasters may lose important insight from spotters on the ground into what storms are really doing.

What may be the last spotter training class before the budget cuts will be held Thursday night at 6pm at the Grace Church off Creve Coeur Mills Road.

The class is free and open to the public.