The blue sky peeking through clouds on Tuesday afternoon relieved Greg Meffert. Last time the National Weather Service meteorologist scheduled a spotter training class in Cape Girardeau, he had to cancel."We had the high wind that blew the semis off the interstate," he said. "Right in front of me."

Ever since, weather spotter training classes have rescheduled "if we're under any type of moderate or high risk alert," said Meffert, one of five lead forcasters at the Paducah, Ky., weather service office. "They need bodies here and they don't need people in the field in harm's way."

Tonight's class will cover why spotters are needed, how to file reports, a tutorial in reading storm clouds and tips for staying safe while reporting on hazardous weather.

Meffert said having trained volunteer spotters lends credibility to weather reports based on radar readings.

Spotter get "a sense of worth and helping the community — helping to protect lives and property, along with the National Weather Service," he said.

Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management Director Richard Knaup organized this class, which runs 6 to 9 p.m. today in Jackson, at the Knights of Columbus, upper hall, 3305 N. High St.

The class is free; emergency responders have priority in getting certificates.pmcnichol@semissourian.com388-3646