Chris Vagasky
Chris Vagasky is the manager of Wisconet and a member of the National Lightning Safety Council.
Chris Vagasky is the manager of the Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet (Wisconet), a network of weather and soil monitoring stations across the state of Wisconsin. He started there in April 2023 and manages the day-to-day operations of the mesonet and is tasked with growing the network from 14 stations to nearly 100 stations.
Chris holds a BS in Operational Meteorology and an MS in Applied Meteorology, both from Mississippi State University. He is an active member of both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. Chris serves as chair of the AMS Board on Membership, co-chair of the 2023 NWA Annual Meeting, and serves on other committees in both organizations.
In addition to developing a statewide weather station network in Wisconsin, Chris also conducts research with lightning data – including its use in safety applications and lightning in volcanic eruptions. He also helps cities, businesses, and other organizations improve their weather communication and preparedness.
- April 11, 2024
- Rooting into Plant Hardiness Zone Maps for Blooming Good Gardens
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Gardeners are well aware of the effects of weather on their plants. The timing and amount of rain, snow, heat, cold, sun, or clouds can impact the performance of their plantings. Climate plays an important role, as well, with some perennial flowers, trees, and shrubs better able to handle colder winter extremes than others. To help gardeners know what plants should be able to survive the winters in their region, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes maps of Plant Hardiness Zones, and these maps were recently updated for the first time since 2012.
- By Chris Vagasky
- September 27, 2022
- Breaking News Webinar: Tropical Weather
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Dr. Kim Wood speaks on the latest developments of Tropical Depression 9, now Hurricane Ian, on 26 September, 2022. Moderated by Chris Vagasky, this webinar discusses the current state of the tropical system, the latest forecast, potential impacts, and more.
- By Chris Vagasky and Kim Wood
- October 30, 2023
- Weather, Climate, and the Boys of Summer: A Fall Classic Conversation
- By Chris Vagasky
- April 25, 2023
- Lightning Data
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As spring approaches, lightning season intensifies, with June, July, and August accounting for 64% of annual cloud-to-ground lightning. Awareness is crucial during this period of increased outdoor activities, and accessing lightning data becomes vital for safety and prompt action.
- By Chris Vagasky