The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls is cancelling its in-person Skywarn Spotter classes.
NWS officials say part of the reason is due to a lack of resources.
Skywarn Spotter classes train everyday citizens to spot weather and provide timely and accurate reports to the NWS. Spotters learn how to identify severe weather and then pass that information to the NWS who then gets the word out to people in the affected areas.
So, when in-person classes got cancelled, some communities began to wonder why.
Todd Heitkamp is the Meteorologist In-Charge for NWS Sioux Falls. He said South Dakota communities are already being impacted by the decision.
“The spotter training classes that we have normally held every year have been cancelled. We decided to do that last Friday," Heitkamp said. "The first one cancelled was Monday in Huron, and so that does impact the class here that was scheduled to be held here in Sioux Falls."
He said the primary reason for cancellations is lack of staff.
“Due to staffing shortages not only in our office, but in surrounding offices, we really need to place the resources where they belong. The public expects us to, and our mission is to issue those protective life-saving warnings and watches," Heitkamp said. "And the way we can do that is by putting the resources where they belong and where they need to be. So, that’s why I made the decision to cancel those classes."
He said part of the reason for staff shortages are federal spending cuts. He said another reason is due to retirements.
Though some NWS offices in South Dakota have seen other changes to NWS operations, Heitkamp said in Sioux Falls that’s not been an issue.
"Again, I think you’re well aware of them that have occurred in other offices, such as the loss of upper, balloon launches," Heitkamp said. "And we do not launch balloons in Sioux Falls so that doesn’t really impact us."
NWS Sioux Falls is offering online Spotter classes in place of the traditional community classes.
