National Weather Service Field Trip

We had a blast visiting the National Weather Service Station today! We got to hear from several different meteorologists, see the control room in action, and learn how weather balloons are released into the atmosphere each day. Kids were fascinated by the technology aspect of forecasting. Students asked some great questions:

• How did you become interested in meteorology in the first place?
• What kind of education is required to become a meteorologist?
• How do you go about making a forecast? 
• How did you end up at the Gray weather station?
• What is the biggest storm you've seen?
• Have you ever seen a tornado?
• What is the largest hailstone you've seen?
• Are you interested in a certain aspect of weather?
• Why is it that you need to release the weather balloons at the same time each day as the other weather stations? 

Students check out the control room.

Studying the computer models used to create forecasts.

Students are shown a tower
with temperature and wind sensors.

Students check out a weather balloon.

This giant "soccer ball" protects
an enormous radar.

Silly students in front of
humongous satellite dish.

Students listen a wonderful
presentation in the conference
room by the director.

Students hold up the giant "soccer ball."