Contact: Keli Tarp
(405) -366-0451
Cell (405) 203-4839
Keli.Tarp@nssl.noaa.gov

MORE THAN 200 EXPECTED TO ATTEND NATIONAL SEVERE WEATHER WORKSHOP

More than 200 emergency managers, storm spotters and other weather enthusiasts from throughout the United States will participate in the National Severe Weather Workshop from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday (3/2) and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday (3/3) at the National Center for Employee Development Conference Center, 2801 E. State Highway 9, in Norman. The event is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Partners, Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Meteorological Society/National Weather Association and the Oklahoma Emergency Managers Association.

The workshop will feature the nation's premier severe weather experts discussing their latest research findings and forecasting techniques. Topics will include the National Weather Service's outlook, watch and warning process, severe weather preparedness and safety, StormReady, EMWIN, severe storm risks, lightning effects, wind damage effects and new ways to get radar data. Speakers will include nationally-recognized experts as well as forecasters and researchers from the NOAA Weather Partners in Norman: Storm Prediction Center, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Radar Operations Center, Warning Decision Training Branch and National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office.

An addition 100 or more people are expected to attend the storm spotter training offered in conjunction with the workshop.

Featured speakers on Friday will include Dr. Greg Forbes, severe weather expert from The Weather Channel, and Tim Marshall, engineering consultant who will discuss damage analysis from the May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak, and on Saturday, Mary Ann Cooper, M.D., nationally recognized lightning injuries expert.