If you're out driving and you see a tornado, do you stop the car and jump in a ditch? Or do you just stay in the car? For the latest advice, attend the Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium and Family Weatherfest on Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., in Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege St..

Ken Dewey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln climatologist, noted that the symposium and weatherfest coincides with the start of severe weather season. Last year's event drew a crowd of around 3,500.

"The job is never done," said Dewey, of UNL's School of Natural Resources. "There's a lot of information out there these days, but we see evidence all the time that people don't know how to use it to keep themselves and their loved ones as safe as possible. Being prepared can save your life and protect your property."

This year the symposium will feature both new and favorite speakers. Jack Williams, author of "The Ultimate Guide to America's Weather" and one of the nation's foremost weather storytellers, will be a featured first-time guest and will sign copies of his book. Barb Mayes from the National Weather Service in Omaha will return to recap the past year's severe weather, such as the tornado that hit Aurora in June 2009 and look ahead to what we might expect this year.

"We only think it was a mild year last year," Dewey said. "That's because none of the tornadoes hit populated areas."

The symposium also will give people a chance to have a town-hall question-and-answer session with weathercasters, and it's one of the only places where storm-spotter training is open to anyone who is interested. "You don't have to become an official spotter; you can just be your own spotter," Dewey said. "This is about enhancing community preparedness."

The weatherfest will include fresh educational activities for kids of all ages, such as the opportunity for Girl Scouts to earn a weather observer badge, and for all participants to learn the "Lore of the Tree Rings." Returning favorites at the weatherfest will include "Be Weatherwise," "Clouds All Around Us" and "Weather Hit or Myth."

This year for the first time the event will include a weather store, with books and other weather-related items for sale. Conditions permitting, the day's festivities will include a weather balloon launch and a celebration tent. As in past years, the Lincoln Camera Club will sponsor a natural resources photo display and contest.

Other speakers at the symposium will be:
-- Vince Miller, weather photographer and owner of Prairiescapes Photo Tours

-- Greg Carbin, from the Storm Prediction Center, on the "Top 10 Weather Events of the Past Ten Years"

-- Scott Blair, from the National Weather Service in Topeka, Kan., on whether to stay in your car or head for a ditch when you see a tornado while you're out driving

-- Brian Smith, warning coordination meteorologist with the Omaha NWS, offering storm spotter training, free and open to the public