Washington County residents can learn more about severe thunderstorms and tornadoes ahead of this spring and summer at a free event next week.

The National Weather Service Quad Cities Office is bringing back in-person storm spotter training which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24th in the Nicola-Stoufer Room at the Washington Public Library. Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says this event is open not just to those interested in becoming a registered storm spotter, “They teach the basics of cloud formations and what to watch for during severe weather and what to watch for during severe weather and what conditions lead to the storms. So it’s really applicable to anyone over the age of 10, can benefit from this. So don’t hesitate to bring some of those older kids, they’re the good ones that we want to teach.”

The training is free to attend with no registration required and lasts about two hours. Reisen reminds residents that Severe Weather Awareness Week for Iowa is March 21-25 with a statewide test of the tornado warning system at 10 a.m. Wednesday the 23rd.