(KNZA)--It still may be winter, but severe weather season is just around the corner.

The National Weather Service has scheduled its storm spotter talks for this month and next in preparation for the severe weather season.

Meetings will be held on Wednesday, February 17th  in Atchison and Jefferson Counties.  The Atchison County meeting will be held at the Atchison Elementary School and the Jefferson County meeting at the McLouth High School auditorium.  Both meetings will begin at 7:00 in the evening and will last about 90 minutes.

The meetings will focus on severe storm safety, preparedness, and awareness. Storm structure and accurate identification of important cloud features associated with supercell and squall line thunderstorms are also touched on.

March 14-18 has been designated as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas, with the statewide tornado safety drill set for Tuesday, March 15th