An EF-1 tornado on the ground near Wapanucka on April 22, 2020.Â
The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Tulsa is offering annual, free storm spotter classes virtually this year with several dates before the bulk of severe weather begins.
Meteorologists from the weather service usually host classes at local emergency management buildings or colleges across eastern Oklahoma during the winter and early spring, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, classes have gone virtual this year.
âCOVID protocols and restrictions that the NWS continues to be under, is the primary reason our spotter presentations are all virtual this year as we are not able to do them, or any outreach activity, in person at the current time,â said NWS Tulsa Warning Coordination Meteorologist Ed Calianese.