Several emergency management agencies provide storm spotting training in Beatrice

BEATRICE, Neb. (KLKN) — It was a packed house in Beatrice Thursday night where the public was invited to a storm spotters training, as the severe storm season is ready to ratchet it up.

“It’s just a really good opportunity to get out and see people, and talk about thunderstorms, said NWS meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch. “We do this every year before the storm season arrives.”

Gage, Jefferson, and Saline county emergency management agencies all teamed up to provide the training, with help from Barjenbruch.

Several people are learning what to look out for, how best to prepare, and how to alert others when they spot one.

“I’ve always liked watching clouds and storms, but I didn’t know what I was looking at,” said James Rule.

2025 data shows there were 41 tornadoes in Nebraska, including one EF2.

But also, a total of 311 severe storm warnings were issued.

This all comes at a time when, just two months ago, the earth and atmospheric programs were cut at UNL, leaving informational opportunities such as this more important than ever in Nebraska.

“We want to train people to be able to tell the difference between a funnel cloud and maybe a low-hanging cloud that isn’t a threat,” said Baarjenbruch. “Being able to have high-quality information from ground level, eyes on the sky, is extremely important for the warning process.”

People in attendance also had a chance to learn how to call in a report and the differences between storm types. They say this information is critical to know.

“We live out in the country, we don’t get much for news,” Rule said. “If a storm pops up, are we safe, or do we have to seek shelter?”

These training sessions are important. Just yesterday, several severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in central Nebraska.

Nebraska has also had a tornado every month of the year through recorded history.