Annually, many types of severe weather affect area residents.  Each year, prior to the spring and fall severe weather seasons, your National Weather Service in Shreveport conducts free classes across our four-state area for anybody who wishes to be better prepared for the possibility of severe weather and better trained in spotting severe weather. During these classes, National Weather Service meteorologists will introduce you to SKYWARN, a voluntary storm spotting program, and the many types of severe weather which can affect the ArkLaTex. Real-time reports of hail size, wind damage, flash flooding, heavy rain, and tornadoes are needed by the National Weather Service during hazardous weather to aid in providing more effective severe weather warnings. Volunteer storm spotters are needed during hazardous weather events to serve as the “eyes and ears” for both the National Weather Service and local emergency management officials. The basic training session is approximately two hours in length and includes basic severe weather meteorology, spotting techniques, and safety rules. It is a completely multimedia presentation which includes numerous videos and regional examples to compliment the provided information.