A Note from Gideon
Welcome to the latest edition of On the Radar! We're thrilled to bring you updates on what has been happening in the Weather Band, as well as items and events of interest on the horizon.
I'd like to start by sharing my excitement about the 2023 Weather Band Jamposium, which was an incredible success. The two-day event brought together weather enthusiasts and experts from various fields, and attendees were treated to a series of engaging webinars covering a wide range of topics, from climate change to science communication. As I was working on supporting the event I found it challenging to resist getting drawn into each session. The guest speakers were incredibly compelling, and the insightful questions posed by our audience members were thought-provoking. Overall, it was an informative and enlightening event that left attendees and myself eager for more. I can't wait to see what new insights and information will be shared at next year's Jamposium, and I hope to see you there!
Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter!
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Gideon Alegado
Public Outreach Manager
Pronouns: He/Him/His
American Meteorological Society
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New Features
Visit the Weather Band website for these and more:
You Say "Sleet", I Say "Snow Mixed with Rain"
by Maestro Bob Henson
Frozen precipitation doesn’t care how we refer to it, of course, but there are still some interesting and helpful distinctions in the terms we use to describe snow and its icy cousins...
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Spring Break in The Impact Zone
While Memorial Day marks the start of summer, Spring Break is when millions of Americans flock to the beaches to escape the cold winter weather. It's important to note that many beaches may not have full lifeguard patrols until summer, making it crucial for beachgoers to take responsibility for their safety as well as the safety of others.
The War of the Worlds - May 15, 2022 Mammatus and Lightning
Brad Nelson is a meteorologist with 18 years of experience at the largest private sector weather company, DTN. He has been chasing storms regularly since 2007 and has seen incredible weather phenomena, including mammatus clouds and lightning. On a storm chasing day in Oklahoma, he encountered a severe thunderstorm with impressive structure and cloud to ground lightning, and was eventually treated to an incredible mammatus display!
Photographing Sprite Transient Luminous Effects
George Preoteasa, an IT professional and Atmospheric Physics graduate from the University of Bucharest, is a passionate weather and sky enthusiast. He spends his free time capturing stunning still and time-lapse photos of celestial objects, including atmospheric optical phenomena, eclipses, the Milky Way, and aurora borealis. Check out his captivating work
on Instagram and
on Vimeo.
Marshmallatus
Grady Dixon and Dr. Josh Durkee co-led a storm-chasing field course for meteorology majors at Western Kentucky University. On May 15, 2022, the group retreated west to their hotel in Ada, OK after chasing a supercell for five hours. They headed south in search of large hail and photo opportunities, and the evening ended with students sharing their photos on social media while the instructors reflected on the value of these experiences.
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BAMS Selections
Check out the latest from BAMS—available on the Weather Band website.
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Upcoming Webinars
Superstorm 1950 with David Call
28 March at 7:00 PM ET
Join us for an upcoming webinar that will explore the impact of Superstorm 1950, the greatest simultaneous blizzard, ice storm, windstorm, and cold outbreak of the twentieth century. This historic weather event set records for multiple hazards, including snow, ice, flooding, wind, and cold temperatures, and its impact went far beyond meteorology, affecting society in complex ways related to race, class, and gender.
During the webinar, we'll dive into the history of Superstorm 1950 and its far-reaching effects, from weather forecasting to Ohio State football to government tax policy. This riveting account of one of the greatest disasters in US history also serves as a warning of what may come if global climate change is not addressed.
Don't miss out on this fascinating
and important webinar. Sign up now to learn more about the impact of Superstorm 1950 and what it can teach us about the future.
Coming Soon…
Watch for details on two exciting upcoming webinars featuring top experts on severe weather communications and evaluations.
First up, join us for a webinar with Danielle Breezy, Chief Meteorologist on ABC WKRN Channel 2 News in Nashville, Tennessee as she shares her experience of covering a major tornado outbreak that hit Southern Kentucky and Tennessee, and the challenges she faced while interrupting The Bachelor to broadcast potentially life-saving warnings.
Next, we are excited to welcome John D. Gordon, Warning Coordination Meteorologist Science and Operations Officer, for a talk on surveying after tornadoes. As an expert in his field, John will provide valuable insights into the science of surveying and its importance in the aftermath of severe weather events.
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“Merapi” by Mark Levitin won Grand Prize in the 2022 Photo Contest
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2023 Photo Contest
Attention all weather and photography enthusiasts! Get ready to show off your skills and win big in the Third Annual AMS Weather Band Photo Contest.
Whether you love capturing the subtle nuances of weather patterns or the dramatic beauty of extreme climate events, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talent. Submit your best photos of weather, water, and climate for a chance to win one of four cash prizes, ranging from $200 to $500.
But that's not all!
Winners
will also receive a free year's membership to the AMS Weather Band! In addition to the cash prizes and free membership, contest winners will also have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive webinar where they can share their experiences and insights into the world of weather photography.
And for those who don't take home the top prizes, don't worry.
Runners-up will have the chance to submit articles to be featured on the Weather Band website, giving you a chance to showcase your work and share your passion with the wider weather community, as in these three articles (described above):
So keep a weather eye out! We will be posting the contest guidelines and photo requirements soon. Whether you’re an experienced weather photographer or just starting out, you are welcome to participate in the Weather Band Photo Contest.
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In Case You Missed It
Remember, the recordings of Weather Band Webinars are always posted for members to view!
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The Primacy of Doubt and the Science of Uncertainty
In this webinar Dr. Tim Palmer addressed the development of ensemble forecasting in weather and climate prediction and its use in COVID, economic, and other types of prediction. Dr. Jagadish Shukla was the moderator.
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The
2023 Weather Band Jamposium: A Symposium for Weather Enthusiasts was a virtual symposium designed to bring together weather enthusiasts with a shared passion for climate-related topics. The recordings from the Jamposium sessions are
now available to AMS and Weather Band members! Whether you missed a session or want to revisit a particular topic, these recordings are a valuable resource for any weather enthusiast.
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Collaboration between AMS Weather Band and Local Chapters
Learn how you can become an ambassador in your local chapter or find a chapter near you! Review this webinar in which Doug Hilderbrand provided an overview of the Weather Ready Nation Ambassador program for Local Chapters. Sid King with the AMS Local Chapter Affairs Committee shared opportunities offered by Local Chapters to Weather Band members and enthusiasts.
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