Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium

April 4, 2009: 9 AM -5 PM

Hardin Hall, 33^rd and Holdrege Streets, Lincoln, NE

FREE and open to the public. 

 

Theme:  Weatherscapes of the Plains

 

Our Symposium Presentations include:

 

Mike Umscheid, Storm Chaser and Fine Art Photographer, “Under the Meso: Photographing Storms on the Plains”

 

Joe Schaefer, Director, Storm Prediction Center, “The 2008 U.S. Tornado Year”,

Sponsored by the School of Natural Resources, UNL.

 

Randy Cerveny, Arizona State University, “Freaks of the Storm: From Flying Cows to Stealing Thunder: The Strangest True Weather Stories”

Sponsored by the Department of Geosciences, UNL.

 

Adam Houston, University of Nebraska, “VORTEX 2, Using an Unmanned  Aircraft to Probe Tornadoes”.

 

Barb Mayes, NWS,  “The Anatomy of Two Violent June 2008 Storms in Eastern Nebraska”

 

Brian Smith, NWS, “Any Wind Can Kill", Storm Spotter Training Workshop

 

 

Additional Information about our speakers and their presentations:

 

Mike Umscheid, Dodge City, KS.

When not working at his job as forecaster at the National Weather Service in Dodge City, Kansas, Mike is often pursuing his passion for storm photography.  His Internet site, “Under the Meso” showcases his outstanding storm photography.  Mike will give a presentation which includes his best storm photography with photography tips for the audience 

 

Joseph Schaefer, Director, Storm Prediction Center, Norman, OK:

The 2008 U.S. tornado season had an early and angry start.  Joe will examine the 2008 tornado season highlighting the significant  tornado outbreaks.  Joe will also present several examples of near-miss tornado disasters from last year. 

 

Randy Cerveny, Arizona State University:

Randy is author of the highly acclaimed book, “Freaks of the Storm”.  Randy will present examples of very strange, yet real weather oddities that have occurred on the Great Plains.  Randy will also preview his recently completed outstanding weather book, “Weather’s Greatest Mysteries Solved”. 

 

Adam Houston, University of Nebraska-Lincoln:

A massive storm research project (VORTEX 2) is scheduled to hit the Great Plains this spring.  This research project will intercept tornado producing storms in order to study the processes that initiate the development of tornadoes in severe thunderstorms.  Adam will present how he and his colleagues will send an unmanned aircraft (drones) into tornado producing storms in order to collect storm data

 

Barb Mayes, National Weather Service, Omaha-Valley, NE:

On June 8, 2008, two unusual storms moved into west suburban Omaha in the middle of the night. On June 27, 2008, a violent windstorm swept across the Omaha metropolitan area and surrounding communities.  Both of these

storm events produced significant storm damage and posed forecasting challenges.  Barb Mayes, from the NWS office in Omaha/Valley, will examine the weather conditions and aftermath associated with these two

high-impact events.

 

Brian Smith, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Omaha-Valley, NE:

Brian will review the significant storms that occurred in our area during 2008 as well as present the annual Spotter Training Workshop for Lancaster County.  The Spotter Training Workshop is open to the public and everyone is invited to come and learn more about the nature of severe weather.