Surviving Storms Topic of Free March 20 Weather Symposium
Released on 03/09/2004, at 12:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 20, 2004
WHEN: Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Lincoln North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd Street
Lincoln, Neb., March 9, 2004 -- Storm chasers and storm trackers headline the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium on March 20. The theme for the free public event is "Surviving the Storms--The Four Seasons of Severe Weather."
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lincoln North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd St. It will include spectacular storm videos, talks by storm chasers and storm photographers, visits with television meteorologists, and free information and displays by weather-related organizations. Weather permitting, a weather balloon will be launched and tracked by computer from the symposium site.
The public is also invited to participate in the storm spotter training at the symposium and see a multimedia presentation to learn about becoming a volunteer storm spotter.
Two weather professionals will keynote the event. Storm-chaser and photographer Jeff Piotrowski, who won an Emmy award for his storm video, will talk about his experiences capturing major Nebraska storms including the 2000 Brady-Maxwell tornado, the 2001 Seward tornado, the 2001 Edgar tornado, and the June 2003 Aurora storm which produced a U.S.-record size hail stone. Also speaking will be Rick McCoy of Van Wert (Ohio) Emergency Management. McCoy helped relay tornado warnings on Nov. 10, 2002, 25 minutes before a tornado hit a theater. The early warning enabled more than 50 moviegoers to move to interior areas that provided better shelter. When the tornado passed, three automobiles were left in previously occupied seats.
Kevin Coskren, chief meteorologist for KLKN television in Lincoln, will give a presentation on "Severe Storm Safety Throughout the Year." Additionally, weather teams from the following television stations will be on hand: KOLN/KGIN Channels 10/11 Lincoln and Grand Island; KLKN, Channel 8 Lincoln; KETV, Channel 7 Omaha; KMTV, Channel 3 Omaha; and KPTM, Channel 42 Omaha.
A link to updated exhibit and speaker information can be found at the High Plains Regional Climate Center Web site.
CONTACT: Ken Dewey, High Plains Climate Center, (402) 472-2908