2013 CANWARN Training Dates/Locations

[Hurricane Mike]

I got an email from Geoff Coulson over at Environment Canada the other day with the first round of dates and locations for the 2013 CANWARN training sessions. I've cut and paste the email below. Enjoy!

Folks, while spring has now officially arrived winter-like weather continues to grip much of the province. However during the course of the coming weeks milder air masses will make their way north and with them will come the possibility of severe thunderstorms. Once again Environment Canada is offering a number of CANWARN storm spotter training courses across the province beginning in Southwestern Ontario in mid-April and wrapping up in Northwestern Ontario in early June. Most of the dates in Southern and Northeastern Ontario have been confirmed but there could still be some additions in the coming weeks. In addition, the training dates and venues in Northwestern Ontario will be announced in the coming weeks.

I want to again take this opportunity to thank you all for being a part of the CANWARN program. Your timely reports of severe thunderstorms and/or their resulting damage continue to play an integral role in our Watch and Warning program. If you haven't come out to a training session in the last few years feel free to come out for a refresher this year. I'm looking forward to seeing many familiar faces during the course of the coming weeks as well as some new ones.

And so without further delay, the following are the currently confirmed training dates in Southern and Northeastern Ontario. The training dates in the Northwest will follow in upcoming emails. In order to get a sense of numbers, please RSVP to with the session you plan on attending. For those attending the Sarnia session, please RSVP directly to Bill Hoad at

April 16 – 7 PM – Leamington – Kinsmen Recreational Complex – 249 Sherk St

April 17 – 7 PM – Sarnia – Upper Hall Clearwater Arena – 1400 Wellington St.

April 18 – 7 PM – London – Fanshawe College Building T Room T1003 – 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd. – Free parking at any metered spots on campus after 6 PM

April 20 – 9 AM – Hamilton – Nash Auditorium Chedoke Hospital – Sanatorium Road – free parking in lot across from the auditorium

April 27 – 9 AM – Orillia/Rama – Rama Fire Hall – 7454 Williams Road in Rama

April 27 – 9 AM – Ottawa – Nepean Sailing Club – 3259 Carling Ave., Nepean

May 1 – 7 PM – Kitchener - Bingemans Conference Centre – 425 Bingemans Centre Drive

May 4 – 9 AM – Toronto – Environment Canada Headquarters – 4905 Dufferin St

May 8 – 7 PM – Toronto – Environment Canada Headquarters – 4905 Dufferin St

May 14 – 7 PM – Peterborough – Public Library – 345 Aylmer St. North

May 15 – 7 PM – Dufferin County – Venue to be determined

May 25 – 9 AM – Sudbury – Lionel E. Lalonde Centre, 239 Montee Principale, Azilda

May 26 - 1 PM - Espanola - Pinewood Inn, 378 Centre St.

May 26 – 7 PM - Elliot Lake - Renaissance Centre (tentative), 20 Veterans Way

May 27 - 7 PM - Sault Ste. Marie - Delta Sault Ste. Marie, 208 St. Mary's Drive

May 29 – 7 PM - Timmins – Holiday Inn, 30 Algonquin Blvd West

May 31 – 6:30 PM - North Bay - OPP Communications Centre - 877 Gormanville Road

[SlideShowBob]

Can I still go evn though I'm only a spotter and not part of CANWARN?

[DarkSky]

Originally Posted by SlideShowBob

Can I still go evn though I'm only a spotter and not part of CANWARN?

Yes.

I really wish CanWarn would re-invent themselves. They're a great group that does a lot of good, but many people from the outside view it as a ham radio club exclusively.

CellWarn would be a good name Cells as in storms and cells as in phones :P

[weathergirl]

I wish CANWARN would hold a meeting in Niagara.

[DarkSky]

Originally Posted by weathergirl

I wish CANWARN would hold a meeting in Niagara.

They used to! The only CANWARN meeting I ever went to was at the St. Catharines airport. Although this is going back probably 10+ yrs ago.

[Laura Duchesne]

I'll be attending Toronto's canwarn once again. Always interesting and good seeing everyone.

[Hurricane Mike]

I'll be headed to Toronto this Saturday for the CANWARN training session as well. I've been to a few of the sessions in other towns and have found the best ones are always at the EC headquarters.

[DarkSky]

If anyone could post some pictures of their Canwarn sessions here, that would be great! 'Show others what it looks like.

[obwan]

The NWS is also holding their SKYWARN training sessions. I might try to attend this if i don't have to work late and since i have already missed the Hamilton session of CANWARN. It would also be interesting to compare the two.

NWS Buffalo SKYWARNTM Training Sessions

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SKYWARNTM is a nationwide program of spotters that report severe weather to the National Weather Service. Anyone can become a SKYWARNTM spotter for the National Weather Service, all you have to do is attend one of our Spotter Training Sessions. There is no charge for the training.
SKYWARNTM training sessions are held throughout our area of responsibility based on demand...generally from late winter through spring. The basic training session provides a brief overview to the National Weather Service (the organization and our responsibilities), the equipment we use (including capabilities and limitations), and basic severe weather meteorology (including how thunderstorms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes form). Training sessions last about two hours.

Attendees are instructed what types of severe weather the National Weather Service is interested in hearing about and are given an 800 telephone number for 24 hour access make reports directly to the NWS forecasters


April 30, 2013 7PM Niagara Lewiston
Niagara University
Bldg/Room TBD Border Community Service of
Niagara University

here is a link too their web site http://www.erh.noaa.gov/buf/skywarnt.htm

[obwan]

heres an update for the nws location



April 30, 2013 7PM Niagara Lewiston
Niagara University
Dunleavy Hall - Room 127 Border Community Service of
Niagara University