Wichita ? As another tornado season approaches, meteorologists are again trying to convince Kansans to learn all they can about protecting themselves in severe weather.

Meteorologists say too many Kansans still run outside to look when the sirens sound, rather than heading for safety.

Phil Harris, of Haysville, admits that he is one of those people.

“I’m just kind of a curious guy about storms,” Harris said. “I’ve just always been fascinated with weather and weather-related things.”

That curiosity prompted his decision to participate in a storm-spotter training session conducted by the National Weather Service this spring.

“I want to get an idea of what I’m looking for in case of severe weather,” he said. “At least I would know what the cloud formations mean.”

Providing that knowledge is the main reason the weather service has an annual Severe Weather Awareness Week, which this year began Sunday.

Chance Hayes, warning coordinator for the National Weather Service’s Wichita office, wants to see people who aren’t part of the storm spotting network organized by a county’s emergency services department at the storm spotter talks.

Hayes said a tornado that hit Hoisington last April proves his point. Less than half a mile from where it touched down just west of the city, the tornado developed wind speeds exceeding 200 mph as it roared through the Barton County town. There was no time to activate warning sirens.

“Walls were falling as people were going to the basement,” Hayes said. “Many of the people, once it began hitting, knew exactly what they were supposed to do.”