Supporting and Promoting Excellence in
Operational Meteorology and Related Activities since 1975
Broadcast Seal Info.
April 1998 Newsletter
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National Weather Association Newsletter No. 98-4 April 1998
Table of Contents
President's MessageDates to Remember
Call for Papers NWA Annual Meeting
Aviation Meteorology News
Weather Support for the X-38
Education Committee News
New Director at NOAA/NWS NHC
Golden Anniversary of the First Tornado Forecast
Local Chapter News
Meetings of Interest
Job Corner
NWA Publications
*****
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
THE FUTURE OF WEATHER FORECASTING IS NOW
The data collected by the new sensors associated with the National Weather Service modernization program have given operational meteorologists new windows into the workings of the atmosphere. Enhanced processing capabilities are also becoming available so that today's forecaster can make real-time use of parameters that were formerly found only in the most esoteric research papers.
We can now apply "text-book physics" to creating warnings and forecasts. However, there is a flip side to the new technologies in that it is incumbent upon us all to learn how to interpret and best use the information they give us.
To accomplish this, it is best to work together to further our communal understanding of how these data relate to weather phenomena. Weather forecasting is not a "contest" to see who can make the most accurate predictions, but rather a service industry where information about anticipated weather or its derivatives is provided to customers be they paying clients, or the tax-paying public. To a very large extent each individual forecaster's reputation is based upon the public's perception of the weather forecasting industry as a whole. If weather forecasts are looked on as light entertainment between the news and sports, it is very hard to convince people to take cover when a warning is issued. Sharing our individual insights on how to use the new data with our colleagues will increase the status of our profession as a whole and, in the long run, that of each of its practitioners.
Weather forecasting is a science-based profession. Our capabilities will advance only as long as the science advances. Operational meteorologists should not sit back and wait for a research scientist to discover a real world problem to solve, rather forecasters must be proactive, sharing their successes and challenges with the research community. This will help insure that practical results will be obtained from research efforts. The value of sharing operational data with researchers is shown by the work of Johannes Kepler who developed the laws of planetary motion. These laws were developed through an analysis of the detailed observations made by Tycho Brahe years earlier. While you might not think that your individual work is "high science," it may be the seed from which a major advance in meteorology or hydrology develops.
A third reason for sharing your insights with others is that it helps you to clarify your own thoughts. We all know a forecaster who has a pet technique for some event, but who simply cannot explain exactly what it is to anyone else. By putting your thoughts on paper, you are virtually forced to clarify your thinking, to note "fudge factors," and list exceptions to general rules. While I do not wish to sound like a high school teacher, there is truth to the axiom that if you cannot express an idea in writing, you really do not understand it yourself. Rather than having "trade secrets," it is important that forecasters "trade" secrets and expose them to the light of the scientific method.
As a professional organization for operational meteorologists, the NWA offers a variety of vehicles for its members to let other forecasters know what they are doing. The National Weather Digest is our professional publication. It focuses on operationally-oriented, technical papers, and is a platform for "association members and others interested in operational meteorology and related activities to share their experiences, procedures, ideas, research, technical studies, news and announcements." Digest submissions are reviewed, but the reviewers are known to the submitters and work constructively with the authors to improve their text. The Digest co-editors are Ken Mielke and Captain Pete Roohr. The NWA Monthly Newsletter is a less formal publication. It serves to tell NWA members and subscribers current news, or make an announcement concerning operational meteorology and related activities. Items that you feel should be published can be submitted to co-editors Larry Burch or Eli Jacks.
Another NWA sponsored outlet to facilitate sharing of professional ideas and insights is the Annual Meeting generally held in October. This conference features workshops, presentations and exhibits related to operational meteorology. This year, presentations are being solicited on a wide variety of topics to provide all attendees a great learning experience. As usual, completed papers are not required. Many presenters will be showing work-in-progress to foster discussion and ideas for improvement. A pre-print volume of abstracts and available papers will be published - see Call for Papers later in this Newsletter. As a professional organization, the NWA offers its members many opportunities to invest part of themselves towards the betterment of the science of weather forecasting. In addition to the publications and the annual meeting, there are some 14 committees that consider the role that the NWA can play on matters ranging from Aviation Meteorology to Weather Analysis and Forecasting. However, while the NWA can sponsor a scientific meeting, publish the Digest and Newsletter, and have many committees, the success of all of these depends upon you the members. For us to further improve the quality of our forecasts and services, it is imperative that we continue to work as a collegial group using our individual talents to better ourselves by advancing the state of our profession. Pick up your pen and start a National Weather Digest article; log onto your computer and start to formalize your forecast insights; communicate your ideas with your local weather community; but make an effort to start sharing today. The submission requirements for the Newsletter are in the Publisher's box below. National Weather Digest submissions are defined in the "Instructions for Authors" printed in each issue. To submit items for the NWA home page or for further information, please call or e-mail the NWA office at (334) 213-0388 or NatWeaAsoc@aol.com
- Joe Schaefer
*****
DATES TO REMEMBER
1 July - Abstracts due for the 17-23 October 1998 NWA Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK. See Call for Papers on page 2.
1 July - Nominations due for the NWA Annual Awards and Sol Hirsch NWA Education Fund Grants. See March Newsletter page 4.
Please see Meetings of Interest on page 7.
___________________________________
NWA Newsletter (ISSN 0271-1044)
Co-Editors: Larry Burch and Eli Jacks
Publisher: Kevin Lavin, Executive Director
Published monthly by the National Weather Association,
6704 Wolke Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36116-2134.
Tel/FAX: (334) 213-0388
E-mail: NatWeaAsoc@aol.com
Home page: http://www.nwas.org
__________________________________
Submit newsletter items directly to: Editor NWA Newsletter, Eli Jacks, NOAA/NWS W/OM21, 1325 East West Hwy Room 13125, Silver Spring
MD 20910; e-mail: Elliott.Jacks@noaa.gov or to: Larry Burch, NOAA/NWSFO, 2242 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City UT 84116;
e-mail: Larry.Burch@noaa.gov. Material received by the 5th will be considered for that month's issue.
Members receive the monthly NWA Newsletter and quarterly National Weather Digest as part of their regular, student or corporate membership
privileges. Contact the NWA for membership information. Newsletter subscriptions are available at $18.00 per year plus extra shipping costs
outside USA. Single copies are $1.50.
*****
Call for Papers NWA Annual Meeting
The National Weather Association's twenty-third Annual Meeting will be held 17-23 October 1998 at The Westin Oklahoma City hotel & conference center.
The Program Committee welcomes presentations on a wide variety of topics including: weather analysis and forecasting, severe convective storms, hydrometeorology, radar and satellite applications, winter weather forecasting techniques, aviation, fire weather, training and education, technological advances, and operational support advances.
The meeting agenda will consist of both oral and poster presentations, training workshops, panel discussions, and exhibits. Special sessions and hands-on workshops for weathercasters will be conducted on 17–18 October 1998. Tours of the weather facilities in Norman are also planned.
Individuals/agencies who want to give a presentation or workshop must submit a one page abstract by 1 July 1998 to:
MIKE VESCIO NWA PROGRAM CHAIRMAN
STORM PREDICTION CENTER
1313 HALLEY CIRCLE
NORMAN OK 73069
Phone: (405)-579-0707; Fax: (405)-579-0700
E-MAIL: Michael.D.Vescio@noaa.gov
Submissions by e-mail are strongly encouraged. Please indicate a preference for an oral or poster presentation and include a list of audio-visual requirements. Do not expect to have equipment that is not requested. If you choose to use regular mail, please include the abstract on a floppy disk and presentation requirements in a cover letter. Notification of abstract acceptance will be mailed by 15 August 1998.
To help with the Weathercaster Workshop program, for 17-18 October, please contact: John McLaughlin, KCCI-TV, Des Moines IA, (515) 247-8888; e-mail: johnmc49@ecity.net
For information on exhibits, contact the NWA office Tel/FAX: (334) 213-0388; NatWeaAsoc@aol.com
A block of rooms has been reserved at The WESTIN Oklahoma City, One North Broadway, Oklahoma City OK 73102. NWA attendee rates for a single or double room are $65 per day [all meeting attendees will be allowed this government rate]. If more than 2 individuals in a room, add $10 for each additional person. The Hotel is 10 miles north of the Will Rogers World Airport; an all-hotel shuttle is available for $10 one-way. Call in reservations to 1-800-WESTIN-1 by 17 September 1998 and mention you will be attending the National Weather Association Annual Meeting (Group Meeting).
Preregistration forms & fees will be posted in the next Newsletter. For travel arrangement assistance call NWA member, Tom McGuire of Travel Agents International in Woburn, MA at 1-800-937-7030.
*****
AVIATION METEOROLOGY NEWS
The NWA Aviation Meteorology Committee has been gathering information on weather training needs and resources for aircrew members and support personnel. Assistance in this search from any member would be appreciated. Among the resources found is a COMET initiative that members may be interested in joining.
A new COMET AVIATION CONSORTIUM is a training, research and technology consortium comprised of government, industry, university and non-profit leaders in the aviation community. Their vision is to be a center of excellence for the development and use of state-of-the-art multimedia training for pilots (GA, Transport & Military), controllers, and dispatchers. The goal they have set for themselves is to teach pilots to use good judgment & make good decisions (using weather and elements of the integrated aviation system as focal points and decision "threads"). They will also assist in general research regarding faults in the system-wide decision making process to help understand and define the relationship between accidents and accident precursors.
Anyone interested in this program is invited to join the 'smartpilot' mailing list! To join, send e-mail to "Majordomo@comet.ucar.edu"
with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: subscribe smartpilot All list members are permitted to send messages to this mailing list. To send a message to the list, e-mail the message to
"smartpilot@comet.ucar.edu".
To find out who is on this mailing list, send an e-mail to "Majordomo@comet.ucar.edu" with the following text in the body of the message: For additional information concerning the list server, send an e-mail to "Majordomo@comet.ucar.edu" with the following text
in the body of the message: Should you have questions concerning administration of this list, contact Larry Astor at astor@comet.ucar.edu
- Terry Lankford, Aviation Meteor. Committee co-chair
***** Forecasters with the NOAA/National Weather Service Spaceflight Meteorology Group (SMG) at Johnson Space Center provided weather
support for the first drop test and free flight of the NASA X-38 vehicle. The X-38 is expected to replace a Russian Soyuz spacecraft as an
emergency crew return vehicle attached to the future International Space Station. Weather elements, particularly winds, played an important
role in the initial testing of the X-38. The X-38 uses a parafoil during its descent and landing. SMG meteorologists in cooperation with the
meteorological analysis group at NASA Dryden and the USAF 412th OSS Weather Flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California provided
detailed weather observations, analysis, and forecasts of conditions for the first free flight. The remotely controlled X-38 flew and landed
under nearly ideal weather conditions on the morning of 12 March 1998.
For the first test few test flights, weather conditions are required to be within limits. Current weather flight rules require that surface wind
speeds be less than 15 knots average and that peak winds be less than 19 knots. Speeds for winds aloft vary with altitude, but must generally
be less than a maximum of 45 knots. The maximum mean wind speed obtained from the Edwards AFB upper air climatology for the month of
March is 43 knots in the layer below the first test drop altitude of 23,000 ft. Initial plans to conduct the flight on 7 March were postponed in
part by SMG forecasts of winds near the flight rule limits (which subsequently verified). Day of flight winds were quite light throughout the
depth of the X-38 flight path. Maximum wind speed measured by weather balloon prior to the X-38 flight and landing was only 16 knots.
Skies were clear except for a few thin cirrus clouds on the western horizon from the Haystack Butte landing site near Edwards AFB at
landing time. Nearest measured winds were north at only 1 knot with a peak to 4 knots in the previous ten minutes. The temperature was
57°F and the altimeter setting was 30.06. Future flight tests of the X-38 will be conducted from higher drop altitudes and will culminate with
an orbital test flight on the Space Shuttle and subsequent landing.
SMG meteorologists providing real-time weather analysis and forecasts for the first free flight were Tim Garner (Lead), Mark Keehn,
Dan Bellue, Wayne Baggett, Rich Lafosse, and Tim Oram.
- Frank Brody
***** The NWA Education Committee announces a new capability on the Internet. They have added to their Internet web site the opportunity
for anyone to "Ask a Meteorologist a Question". If the questions stump the committee, no doubt they will forward them to other members for
assistance. The Education Committee web pages are on the NWA web site at http://www.nwas.org; click on "Committees" or "Education."
- Rich McNulty
***** Jerry D. Jarrell was recently selected as the sixth director of the National Weather Service's Tropical Prediction Center - National Hurricane
Center in Miami. Jerry has been acting director of the Center since September 1997, previously serving as deputy to then-director Bob Burpee.
He joined the Hurricane Center as deputy director under Bob Sheets in 1988. He has been active in forecasting tropical weather since serving
with the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1977. Atlantic Hurricane season begins 1 June.
***** A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the First Tornado Forecast was held on 23-25 March 1998. It was hosted by the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS) and National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), in cooperation with the
University of Oklahoma and the US Air Force in Norman, Oklahoma, and at Tinker AFB (located approximately 10 miles north of Norman) as
a tribute to the past 50 years of tornado forecasting.
With the significance of this event to operational meteorology, the NWA Council approved support to the celebration with publicity,
participation and a donation of $500. The Executive Director attended the conference as did many other NWA members. Joseph Schaefer,
the NWA President and Director of the Storm Prediction Center, was on the host committee. Many past presidents were also in attendance:
Ron Alberty (recently retired from being Deputy Director of COMET), Ken Crawford, Tim Crum, Clifton Green, Gary Grice (the Project Chairman),
and Maury Pautz who worked with Bob Miller in the Tinker AFB forecast center and was the initiator for the US Postal Service having a special
cancellation stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary event.
On Monday, 23 March, NOAA hosted an Open House at its facilities in Norman. Thank goodness severe weather was minimal across
the country, for most if not all employees of the Norman NWS Forecast Office, WSR-88D Operational Support Facility, Storm Prediction Center
and National Severe Storms Lab were leading tours, giving briefings, explaining their storm chasing vehicles and equipment, providing refreshments,
selling T-shirts and coffee mugs, escorting VIPs and the first NWA member the Executive Director (almost) ran into was Dennis McCarthy who was
directing traffic. As MIC of the NWSFO, Dennis also directed great weather for the 3-day celebration, making sure visitors remembered the song
phrase, "Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweep-in' down the plain." Air Force weather personnel from Tinker AFB were also at the open
house demonstrating their field equipment. The Tinker AFB band supplied the musical background.
On Tuesday, the local chapters of the AMS and the NWA sponsored a Golden Jubilee Symposium on Tornado Forecasting at the University
of Oklahoma. To start off the symposium, a tribute to Air Force Colonel (Retired) Robert Miller was paid by Dr. Robert Maddox, who also
discussed the first tornado forecast of Miller and Fawbush. Nine other invited speakers discussed the past, current and future of tornado
forecasting, storm spotting & public awareness, mesoscale modeling and field research.
Larry Wilson, who worked with Col. Miller for six years at the Kansas City warning center as a military forecaster and later as a NWS
forecaster, wrote a poem for the occasion and presented it at the symposium. He gave us permission to publish it (see page 5).
On Tuesday evening a Commemorative Dinner was held at the University of Oklahoma. Speakers included Dr. Richard Anthes,
President of UCAR; Jack Kelly, NWS Director; Joe Friday, Director of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research, NOAA; Dr. James Baker,
Administrator of NOAA; and Dr. John Snow who as the Dean of the College of Geosciences hosted the event.
On Wednesday, 25 March, a special ceremony was held at Tinker AFB to commemorate the first tornado forecast. A historical marble
monument was dedicated to this successful operational weather forecast. A luncheon at the Tinker AFB Officer's Club followed where Brig.
Gen. Fred Lewis, USAF Director of Weather, presented the Fawbush and Miller family members with plaques containing the words on the
historical monument (the first ever to a weather forecast) which reads:
THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO THE FIRST ISSUED SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE A TORNADO STRUCK SEVERE WEATHER PIONEERS, MAJOR FAWBUSH AND Lt Col Fawbush died in 1982. He was represented by his two daughters and their children. Col Miller suffers at home in
Laurel, MD with Parkinson's disease; he was represented by his daughter and her son.
IT'S MILLER TIME ... 1998
There once was a time in the '40's No need to upset the balance of nature All efforts were primed just to win the Big War, In 1947, tornadoes come and tornadoes go. No reason to panic, no need to excite So I'm writing a poem and getting it polished, As time moves on in forty-eight... The Ides of March, they come and go It's warm and humid, and dust aplenty But no reason to worry, no need to run But look to the West, an ominous sign As daylight fades, the sky grows darker With rushing winds and bouncing hail, With reckless response, like Nolan Ryan's sinker The base is in ruin, the damage is great So Fawbush and Miller review all the charts With quickness and toil, they took on the hunt. The questions were answered on March twenty-five, The moisture was there with southerly wind For all the parameters to get in a tangle, Fawbush and Miller prepared for the forum, With parameters in place to dazzle the eye, Fawbush and Miller, remembering the past The briefing was given, and as one might figure The forecasters were stunned and quickly replied: "My base! My base!" the General exclaimed! Miller went home and tried to relax, As hard as it is, to simply construe A ringing of phones soon brought the big news! 'Twas the greatest of forecasts, as many now know So, hats off World!...after 50 long years, Larry F. Wilson A picture was in the paper copy of the Newsletter with the following caption -
At the monument for the first tornado forecast are from left to right Ed Dickson, Maury Pautz, Larry Wilson
and Charlie Crisp. They each worked in severe weather forecasting with Bob Miller either at Tinker AFB, Kansas
City or at the Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt AFB NE. Charlie Crisp is now at NOAA/NSSL and is gathering
and organizing historical information on Fawbush & Miller. He would appreciate any information sent to him at 1313
Halley Circle, Norman OK 73069.
****
The NWA received a plaque and many words of appreciation at the 3-day celebration for the support and assistance given.
A letter from the Golden Anniversary Project Committee reads:
"Thank you and the membership of the National Weather Association for the generous contribution to the Celebration of the
Golden Anniversary of the First Tornado Forecast. The NWA donation helped make the event a big success. As you know, the
NWA was one of the first to participate in the Celebration, and your vision and generosity opened avenues to involve others. This
is just one of many examples that shows the NWA is committed to supporting meteorological operations through its professional activities.
I would like to share some of the accomplishments your donations made possible:
By participating in the Celebration, the NWA raised the recognition level of the event to such a high level that many good things
resulted. On behalf of everyone associated with the Golden Anniversary of the First Tornado Forecast, thank you.
Gary Grice More information & pictures of the Golden Anniversary are on the Internet at http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/Golden Anniversary.
***** The Central Iowa NWA Chapter's second annual Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference in Des Moines, 3-5 April 1998,
was a great success. The conference began with the reading of a letter from Vice President Al Gore welcoming participants. Vice
President Gore said, "I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of your discussions this weekend as they relate to
improvements in severe weather detection." The Vice President went on to thank the many people from diverse interests who came
together to improve and expand NOAA weather radio in Iowa and increase the availability of weather radios in the state. The Central
Iowa NWA is humbled that chapter efforts have resulted in recognition from the Vice President's Office. The conference drew up to 320
participants during the peak on Saturday, up nearly 100 from the 1997 conference. The crowd was equally split between media, National
Weather Service, and emergency management/storm spotters.
The number of presentations from media and emergency management representatives was up sharply from 1997, providing a good
balance to papers presented by government meteorologists and researchers. The subject matter of presentations was also well-balanced
and included radar interpretation, new advancements in Doppler radar, media-NWS cooperation, and storm-scale numerical models being
developed by the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms. Evening sessions were of a more "entertaining" tone with storm chase videos
and sky photographs.
The Central Iowa NWA Chapter extends a special thanks to all who attended and presented during the conference. It is gratifying that
such names as Les Lemon, Don Burgess, Bob Johns, Ken Crawford, Alan Moller, Alan Eustis and many, many others supported the conference
through keynote addresses, workshops, panel discussions and presentations. Thanks also to the vendors! Their support allows attendees to
view and discuss the latest in equipment, products and services.
It is exciting to see the growth in the National Weather Association and the local chapter program. Several attendees inquired as to
starting local chapters in their areas! The Central Iowa Chapter is proud to be part of such an outstanding organization.
- John McLaughlin
The Central Oklahoma NWA Chapter met on 2 April 1998. This annual dinner meeting featured 50th Anniversary of the First
Tornado Forecast celebration results, and an informative talk on the Oklahoma Water Resource Board. President Kit Wagner welcomed
the 35 members and guests to the annual dinner meeting held in the Regents Room on the University of Oklahoma campus at 7:20 pm.
After a great meal, the first order of business was to draw names for the 2 door prizes that were going to be awarded. Andrea Melvin and
Cindy Chrisman both received a 50th Anniversary of First Tornado Forecast coffee mug. The evenings speaker Duane Smith received a
50th anniversary T-shirt. Chapter Secretary Jim Keeney read the minutes from the last meeting and Treasurer Charlie Crisp read the treasurer's
report, at this time the chapter has 110 current members. Jeff Trapp, Anniversary symposium chairman, reported that approximately 300 people
attended the Tornado symposium on 24 March and that they made a small profit on the event. The souvenir committee reported that sales and
expenses were just about even with 162 T-shirts and many mugs and magnets yet to sell. The chapter discussed undergraduate scholarships
for next year and President Wagner reminded everyone about the annual trash pickup on 18 April with lunch afterwards. Kit Wagner welcomed
Duane Smith from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Smith is an 1978 OU graduate. Smith discussed the Number One topic of concern in
his office which is the debate on Hog farming permits. Two northwest Oklahoma counties are requesting permits for farming 4 millions hogs. This
is the equivalent to 12 million people in that part of the state, and understandably residents are concerned over the possibility of water contamination.
Other topics that were discussed were Drought Monitoring and Response, Water Quality Monitoring and Native American Water Rights. President
Wagner presented Smith an OU medallion to commemorate his visit. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.
At the January 1998 meeting, guest speakers were Dr. Ken Crawford, Director of the Oklahoma Climate Survey, Renee McPherson, Assistant
Director, and Dale Morris, OK-FIRST! Project Manager. Crawford discussed the concept of OK First-response Information Resource System using
Tele-communications, (OK-FIRST!). Morris then talked about the Web site, going through several of the links to show information that users can
obtain. Hopefully, Dr. Crawford will demonstrate OK-FIRST at the October NWA Annual Meeting.
At the March 1998 meeting, the guest speaker was Dr. William Potter from the University of Tulsa. Dr. Potter described the current ozone
air quality in Tulsa. He then showed the relationships between meteorology and ozone.
- Jim Keeney, Chapter Secretary
***** Second Annual High Plains Conference will be held 17-19 August 1998 in Hastings, Nebraska. The joint session of the
High Plains Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and the High Plains Chapter of the National Weather Association is pleased
to announce sponsorship of this conference. It will be hosted by the NWS Office in Hastings, Nebraska and Hastings College. The theme
of the conference focuses on weather challenges entering the new millennium. The objective is to share new work, ideas and enhancements in
Sessions will begin with an invited speaker and the remaining speakers will be limited to 15 minutes including questions. When the
time compliment has been filled, the conference program committee will assign additional entries of interest to poster sessions. To keep
the conference registration fee modest, no conference pre-print/post print will be available.
Titles and one-page abstracts should include each author's name and affiliation, the corresponding author's complete address,
telephone/fax number, e-mail address, and requested session for presentation. Abstracts may be submitted, no later than 30 June 1998 to:
JIM BREWSTER HIGH PLAINS CONF. CHAIR or
Rick Ewald Please contact Jim or Rick with any questions. Final registration, a tour of the Hastings NWS Office and a social mixer will take place
during the afternoon and evening of 17 August 1998.
The Seventh US/Canada Workshop on Great Lakes Operational Meteorology will be held on 19-21 August, 1998 at the State
University of New York at Buffalo's Amherst campus. (See complete announcement in last Newsletter.) Papers on all aspects of
Great Lakes weather analysis and forecasting are invited. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 1 June 1998 (NWS forecasters
should submit through their respective Regional Scientific Services Division). Abstracts (typed on no more than one page and single
spaced) should be sent to: National Weather Service, Great Lakes Workshop, 587 Aero Drive, Buffalo, NY 14225. For more information
contact Tom Niziol or Steve McLaughlin at: 716-565-0204; FAX: 716-565-9002; e-mail: thomas.niziol@noaa.gov or
stephen.mclaughlin@noaa.gov. On the Internet, see info at http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov.
***** (Ed: The NWA lists job openings free from equal opportunity employers for the benefit of members. See http://www.nwas.org or call the
NWA office at (334) 213-0388 for possible short notice listings.)
THE WEATHER CHANNEL® The Meteorology Department of The Weather Channel® is seeking outstanding candidates
for possible future openings. Proficiency in weather analysis and forecasting is a necessity. Optimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in
Meteorology or equivalent educational background plus at least four years full-time operational experience, or a Master's degree plus at least two
years operational forecasting experience. Other necessary attributes include strong communication skills, nationwide forecasting experience, and
basic computer skills in a Windows environment. Experience with graphic visualization of atmospheric fields is a plus.
Working well in a team environment, attentiveness to detail, flexibility, and the ability to focus on customer needs are essential. Weekend,
night and/or early morning work may be required to help support our 24 hour a day, 7 day a week operation. Applicants should mail a cover letter
and detailed resume to Kathy Strebe, Meteorology Manager, The Weather Channel®, 300 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339. No
phone calls please. EOE.
ENSCO, INC. The Applied Research & Systems Division of ENSCO, Inc. in Cocoa Beach, Florida has an opening to fill in
the Applied Meteorology Unit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and the US Air Force Cape Canaveral Air Station. The successful applicant will
be involved with the evaluation and transition of tools, techniques, and instrumentation for customers providing operational weather forecasts in
support of the US Space Program. The position requires at least a M.S. in meteorology or atmospheric science and extensive experience installing,
running and debugging data analysis and model software on UNIX workstations. Exceptional computer skills, fluency in FORTRAN and/or C,
knowledge of PC & UNIX operating systems, exposure to/experience with operational weather forecasting, and desire to publish peer-review journal
articles are highly desirable. Selected candidates will be subject to security investigation. Note: US Citizenship is required. Send resumes and/or
contact: Dr. John Manobianco, ENSCO, Inc., 1980 N. Atlantic Ave., Suite 230, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931, (407) 853-8203; FAX (407) 853-8415.
NOAA/NESDIS is searching for a meteorologist to lead the Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Team (RAMMT) in
Ft. Collins, CO. The Team Leader is responsible for technical and administrative guidance of the staff. He/she directs the RAMMT research,
development and applications programs in the use of satellite data to improve regional, mesoscale, and tropical storm forecasts. RAMMT also
participates in technology transfer efforts through web based tutorials, the COMET program, and directly with NWS field forecasters and visiting
international scientists. The incumbent also coordinates the joint research activities of the collocated Cooperative Institute for Research in the
Atmosphere (CIRA).
The position will be filled at the ZP-1340-IV/V level, equivalent to GS 14-15, with annual salary of $55,000 to $99,397. Vacancy announcement
M/NES/R/98128.SS can be found on NOAA's web page at: http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~hrmo/index.php.
ACCU WEATHER, INC., offers career opportunities with the world's leading and most diversified commercial weather service.
You will have exciting opportunities to handle all types of weather forecasting for major business, media and government organizations. These
include on-air broad-casting for radio stations; creative presentation of weather graphics; preparation of television and newspaper forecasts;
snow and ice warning services; worldwide forecasting for agriculture; specialized forecasts for the transportation industry, utilities, businesses
and resorts; computer applications; and many others. You will work with some of the nation's leading forecast meteorologists in one of the world's
largest forecast centers, interacting with a staff of 300 employees. Our new state-of-the-art facility provides our 85 forecast meteorologists with tools
and computer technology unavailable elsewhere. Applicants need to be articulate and productive with outstanding forecasting and communication
skills. Through progressive advancement, forecasters can become on-air meteorologists in major radio markets, or become involved in computer
operations, graphic design, new product development or customer relations. AccuWeather also has positions available on their computer staff for
meteorologists with programming experience. AccuWeather offers competitive salaries and an extensive benefits package including health
insurance, 401K and profit sharing plans, life insurance and disability income. If you are an enthusiastic, hard working forecaster interested in
employment in a dynamic growing company which offers superior opportunity for advancement, send a detailed resume to David H. Dombek,
Director of Forecaster Hiring, AccuWeather, Inc., 385 Science Park Road, State College PA 16803; FAX: (814) 231-0621; resume@accuwx.com
STRATEGIC WEATHER SERVICES (SWS) Opportunities for challenging careers in operational meteorology in Palm
Springs, California with one of America's oldest weather forecasting companies, with offices in Palm Springs, California; Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania; and Omaha, Nebraska. At least five (5) years of practical experience required in Synoptic Meteorology or Weather Forecasting.
Computer knowledge required. One of the new positions will emphasize forecasting for European clients and thus experience in that area will be
heavily considered. Office hours in Palm Springs are generally 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday with no shift work involved. A great work
environment and many company benefits. Please fax resume to (760) 325-9678 or call Bill Young at (760) 325-9677; Bill_Young@StrategicWeather.com
WEATHER SERVICES CORPORATION (WSC) is one of the country's oldest and largest commercial operational
meteorological services. Since 1948, it has been providing industry, government and the media with accurate, customized, worldwide
weather information. The wide variety of WSC clients are located across the US, around the world and throughout cyberspace. A staff
of nearly 100 professionals is supervised by AMS Certified Consulting Meteorologists. WSC is located in a new, state-of-the-art, 24-hour
per day, Global Operations Center in Lexington, Massachusetts—on Boston's route 128 Technology Highway. The most important resource
of WSC is their employees. Each is provided with the finest tools and the opportunity to excel in a stimulating, fast-paced, professional
environment. In addition to a competitive compensation and benefits package, WSC employees can participate in the growth and success
of the company through a stock ownership plan. Recent and planned growth of WSC presents opportunities for both entry-level & experienced
Operational Meteorologists; Graphic Artists with PC experience - multi-lingual capabilities are a plus; Radio Broadcasters; Journalists & Producers;
Systems Analysts with C in VMS and UNIX environments; Data & Telecommunications Technicians; Telemarketers; and Sales Account
Executives. To apply, please send resume to: Human Resources - N895, Weather Services Corporation, 420 Bedford Street, Lexington MA
02173; FAX: (781) 676-1001; e-mail: hr@wx.com
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AVAILABLE – FALL 1998 The Atmospheric Science Group at Texas Tech
University is seeking qualified applicants to fill several graduate assistant positions beginning the 1998 Fall semester. Both teaching & research
appointments are available. Students will pursue an M.S. degree in atmospheric science or the Ph.D. in Geosciences and participate in applied
research in one or more of the following areas: (1) Mesoscale meteorology, with emphasis on intense convective systems and regional NWP;
(2) Remote sensing including radar and satellite meteorology; (3) Severe storms including thunderstorms, hailstorms, duststorms, and tornadoes;
(4) Meteorological aspects of wind engineering and building damage. Stipends for a 1/2-time position during the 9-month academic year range up
to $12,000 depending on standing in the graduate program; summer employment, in some cases full-time, is often available at equivalent rates. For
information, please contact: Dr. Chia-Bo Chang, Atmospheric Science Graduate Advisor, Texas Tech University, Box 42101, Lubbock, TX
79409-2101 (Tel: (806) 742-3113; FAX: (806) 742-1738; e-mail wacbc@ttacs.ttu.edu).
***** Monograph 1-86, "Principles and Methods of Extended Period Forecasting in the U.S.," by Robert P. Harnack.
Cost: $8.00 for NWA members; $12.00 for nonmembers.
Monograph 2-86 (Reprinted May 1993), "Satellite Imagery Interpretation for Forecasters," 3 volumes compiled and edited by
Peter S. Parke. Cost: $38.00 NWA members; $51.00 for nonmembers.
Publication 1-88, "The Cloud Chart 1, 2, 3" by Mike Mogil and Sol Hirsch consists of three 12"x24" charts containing more
than three dozen color photos of clouds/ accompanying text. Cost: $7.50 members; $9.50 nonmembers.
Publication 2-88, "Polar Orbiter Satellite Imagery Interpretation," a script/slide training program, written by Vincent J. Oliver and
prepared by NESDIS, contains 76 slides with accompanying text. Cost: $70.00 members; $84.00 for nonmembers.
Publication 1-90, "Winds of the World - As Seen in Weather Satellite Imagery," a script/slide training program, written by Vincent
J. Oliver and prepared by NESDIS, contains 79 slides with accompanying text. Cost: $70.00 members; $84.00 nonmembers.
Publication 1-91, "Satellite Imagery Indicators of Turbulence," a script/slide training program, written by Gary Ellrod and
prepared by NESDIS, contains 71 slides with text. Cost: $70.00 for members; $84.00 for nonmembers.
Monograph 1-93, 2nd Edition 1997, "A Comprehensive Glossary of Weather Terms for Storm Spotters," by Michael L. Branick,
NWSFO, Norman OK. A thorough reference in "layman's terms" for standardization of terms used in storm spotting, forecasting and
broadcasting. Cost: $6.00 for members; $9.00 for nonmembers.
Publication 1-95, "Imaging Capabilities of the GOES I-M Satellites," a script/slide training program, written by Gary Ellrod and Jim
Nelson of NOAA/NESDIS/SAL. Contains 34 slides with accompanying text. Cost: $33.00 members; $40.00 for nonmembers.
The Severe Local Storm Forecasting Primer by John S. Sturtevant, July 1995. A survey of severe local storm structure, detection
and forecasting techniques. Published by Weather Scratch Meteorological Services, Florence AL. 197 pp. Special NWA price: $30.00
These prices include book-rate mailing within the USA. Contact NWA for overseas rates. Enclose a check drawn on a U.S. Bank
or an international money order payable in U.S. dollars and send order to:
NWA PUBLICATIONS
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WEATHER SUPPORT FOR THE X-38
EDUCATION COMMITTEE NEWS
NEW DIRECTOR AT NOAA/NWS NHC
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST TORNADO FORECAST
FIRST TORNADO FORECAST
MARCH 25, 1948
OPERATIONAL TORNADO FORECAST ISSUED ON MARCH
25, 1948 BY MAJOR ERNEST J. FAWBUSH AND CAPTAIN
ROBERT C. MILLER AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE,
OKLAHOMA.
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, THIS FIRST FORECAST PROVED
SEVERE WEATHER COULD BE ANTICIPATED WITH A
REASONABLE DEGREE OF ACCURACY. THIS FOCUSED
NATIONAL ATTENTION ON FORECASTING TORNADOES
AND WARNING THE PUBLIC OF THEIR POTENTIAL
DANGER.
CAPTAIN MILLER, DEVELOPED TORNADO FORECASTING
TECHNIQUES STILL IN USE TODAY. THE 1948 TORNADO
FORECAST WAS THE FORERUNNER OF TODAY'S
NATIONAL SEVERE WEATHER FORECASTING AND
RESEARCH PROGRAM THAT PROTECTS LIVES AND
SERVES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
DEDICATED MARCH 25, 1998
when the Air Force just focused on Sorties!
with things like severe storm nomenclature.
So forecasting weather was akin to folklore.
Some are destructive, and some spin for show.
for forecasting tornadoes would stir public fright.
but just like Woodward, I'm getting demolished.
Spring arrives, and so does fate.
only to signal, a really big show.
as Oklahoma wakens to March the twenty.
for the sky is so blue, under a noonday sun.
something is swelling along the old dry line.
and thunder is heard like a bulldog barker.
the storm spins up, as sirens wail.
a tornado descends and devastates Tinker!
and forecasters are challenged to begin a debate.
and wonder if forecasting beats throwing the darts.
Was the research worth it? --- or should they just punt?
as parameters galore all came alive.
and dryness was evident across the Big Bend.
the winds aloft must come from the right angle.
the briefing each morning for General Borum.
the General inquired if his planes should fly.
recalled it was similar to Tinker's last.
the General inquired if there really was a trigger.
"Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir! ... and find someplace to hide."
"Get the planes hangered, before we get maimed!"
but rumbles of thunder became louder cracks.
the sky turned black after being so blue.
"TORNADO HITS TINKER...AND NO PLANES WE LOSE!"
and 50 years later, we're tinkering to grow.
"It's Miller time now with many good cheers!"
1998
Project Chair
LOCAL CHAPTER NEWS
MEETINGS OF INTEREST
The conference is intended to serve as a platform of ideas, concerns and knowledge and also as a vehicle to discuss the impact of
weather and weather forecasting on commerce, life and property in the 21st Century.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE
6365 N OSBORNE DRIVE WEST
HASTINGS NE 68901.
E-mail: James.Brewster@noaa.gov;
Tel: (402) 461-3826 ext. 805;
Fax: (402) 462-2746,
Science and Operations Officer
same address and fax;
e-mail: Rick.Ewald@noaa.gov;
Tel: (402) 461-3826 ext. 766.
JOB CORNER
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MONTGOMERY AL 36116-2134
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