Training to back up the Storm Prediction Center

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36585718/training-to-back-up-the-storm-prediction-center

WSIL-TV

O’ FALLON, IL-  (Nick Hausen, WSIL-TV)  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below)

Meet the 15th Operational Weather Squadron operating out of Scott Air Force Base. A team of weather forecasters that handles analysis, forecasting, and weather briefing for the Air force, Army, Navy, Marines, Guard, Reserve, United States Strategic Command, and United States Northern Command in 24 states.

“We forecast for the northeastern continental United States. We usually write aviation forecasts,” said Lieutenant Taylor Whitney. “And we’ll send out warnings and advisories for imminent weather.”

“In the unlikely event that they were to go down, we can step in at a moments notice and take over that support,” explained Jeffrey Mitchell, a weather technician trainer. “So it would be seamless for the people of the United States. They’ll still get their weather watches. But they’ll be coming from us in those situations.”