Though the odds of another white-out blizzard or subzero frost hitting the area again appear to be disappearing as fast as the piles of melting snow outside, the incoming spring season brings with it another set of potential weather-related problems.

While impossible to prevent, local residents can still help spot developing thunderstorms, floods and tornadoes, which in turn could help save lives and property from becoming victims in the wake of natural disaster.

Next week, meteorologists with the Northern Indiana National Weather Service will be holding a special class at Southwestern Michigan College to train concerned Cass County citizens how to identify and report adverse weather developments as part of their SKYWARN Spotter program. The two-part class will be offered free of charge at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 23.

Responsible for overseeing the weather in 37 counties throughout northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northwest Ohio, forecasters with the Indiana branch of the National Weather Service regularly employs a team of around 2,500 citizen spotters to help them identify severe conditions, said Nick Greenawalt, a meteorologist with the service.

“While we have radars and other equipment at our weather stations, to know what is taking place on the ground is crucial,” Greenawalt said. “We found that people take action more often during severe weather situations when conditions are confirmed by a weather spotter in the area.”

During the two-hour spotter training course, Greenawalt and other instructors show how citizens can recognize cloud formations and other signs of developing storms, and how to properly report those conditions to the weather service. Attendees will also learn about how to protect themselves and loved ones during a weather-related crisis.

The Dowagiac class will be the last of the around 20 courses the service has held throughout the region, and the first held in the county since 2011, Greenawalt said. Meteorologists try to wrap up the training by the end of March, when storm season usually arrives for the year.

“We want to get [spotters] trained ahead of time,” Greenawalt said. “It also gives us time to staff up and prepare for the season.”

Residents interested in attending the course are encouraged to preregister online, at http://cass-mi-spotter.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2139054350. For more information, contact the Northern Indiana National Weather Service at 574-834-1104.