UNL's 15th Annual Family Weatherfest and Severe Weather Symposium is Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hardin Hall on the corner of North 33rd and Holdrege streets.
The free event will explore the wonders of weather and teach techniques for surviving – and even thriving – through severe weather events. Free parking is available.
"We are located just two miles from Memorial Stadium where the Husker spring game will be played that afternoon," said Ken Dewey, professor of applied climate science. "We're inviting Husker fans who are coming into town to stop by our event before the game and make it a two-event Saturday."
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet local television weathercasters and try out their own weathercasting skills against an interactive green screen.
Also featured at this year's event are the Doppler On Wheels, a mobile tornado research laboratory, and the Nebraska Task Force Search and Rescue Dogs who will be on-hand giving demonstrations of how they do their important job.
Bob Henson, author of "The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change," and Nancy Gaarder, author of "Nebraska Weather," will be present to meet guests and sign copies of their books, which will be on sale at the event.
The symposium portion of the event will take place throughout the day in the Hardin Hall auditorium.
"A scientist from the popular Weather Underground website will talk about how weather and climate intersect, and the Nebraska Emergency Management team will talk about the deadly twin tornadoes that occurred in Pilger, Nebraska last June," Dewey said. "The severe weather symposium also includes the storm spotter training workshop, which we open up to not only official spotters, but to all members of the public who want to learn more about how severe weather forms in Nebraska."
An array of other hands-on activities and exhibits will be available for kids and adults of all ages. More information is available at http://snr.unl.edu/cpsws/ and http://www.facebook.com/cpsws.
— Mekita Rivas, Natural Resources