UNL News Releases 09/19/00

WEATHER CHANNEL METEOROLOGIST AND TOP STORM CHASERS TO APPEAR AT FREE PUBLIC EVENT OCT. 7

Lincoln (Neb.) - Sept. 19, 2000 - There's not much we can do about the weather, but Nebraskans will have a chance to learn more about it as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosts the Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium Oct. 7.

The free, day-long event will include spectacular storm videos, talks by storm chasers and television meteorologists, displays by a host of weather-related organizations, and free door prizes, posters and educational materials for students and teachers. Weather permitting, a camera-toting weather balloon will be launched, feeding back live pictures as it floats into the atmosphere. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Nebraska Center, 33rd and Holdrege streets. Free parking is available north of the building.

"People of all ages will have a chance to learn something about the weather," said Ken Dewey, a UNL professor organizing the event. "We'll have activities for kids and demonstrations for business people who have to make decisions based weather events."

The growing list of speakers includes: -Mary Ann Cooper, University of Illinois at Chicago, a specialist on the impact of lightning injuries and recovery from lightning injuries -Chuck Doswell of the National Severe Storms Laboratory, nationally known for work in the field of severe storms and meteorology. He's often featured on tornado programs on The Learning Channel. -Tim Marshall, editor of Storm Track Magazine, failure and damage consultant, engineer and meteorologist. -Jeff Morrow, on-camera meteorologist with The Weather Channel, who frequently reports severe weather live on-location. -Cathy Zapotocny, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, Neb., and specialist in Nebraska's winter weather. Additionally, broadcast meteorologists Dean Wysocki (KLKN) Ken Siemek (KOLN/KGIN) and Mark Lee (KMTV) will be on hand to meet the public.

A link to updated exhibit and speaker information can be found at the High Plains Regional Climate Center Website .

For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons1@unl.edu
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825