NWS Springfield Steve Runnels KD4OPZ
The Battlefield Mall was packed with people on Saturday, February 25th as the Springfield National Weather Service Forecast Office (Steve Runnels KD4OPZ pictured next to their awesome tornado simulator) along with local media outlets and A.R.E.S. and C.E.R.T. volunteers hosted this year’s Severe Weather Awareness Expo. Several of our Skywarn spotters along with other local amateur radio operators attended as well. The purpose of the event was to educate the public about severe weather and what each of us can do to be prepared.
Steve Runnels with the Springfield National Weather Service Forecast Office agreed that a lot of people are talking about the warmer-than-normal winter we’re having and wondering if it will translate into a harsh severe weather season this spring. However the answer is not that clear. Steve brings up the very accurate point that we’ve had plenty of winters with above average temperatures that led into relatively calm springtime conditions. The bottom line is that we will have to wait and see, and, while we’re waiting, be prepared.
Several folks who stopped by the C.E.R.T. / A.R.E.S. booth were excited to hear about the free Technician Licensing class scheduled for April in Springfield. (You can find details about that class by clicking here.)
John KD0ONE (pictured) along with several other Greene County C.E.R.T. and A.R.E.S. volunteers were on hand to answer questions about this
A.R.E.S. / C.E.R.T. – John KD0ONE (right)
class and about the vital role amateur radio plays in the community especially in times of emergencies. The most common misunderstanding among members of the community is the idea that our cellular phones will always work no matter what happens. Folks understand the concept of wireless communications. However, many fail to realize that if and when the cell towers lose power following a major disaster, their phones won’t do much – other than maybe pass the time playing Tetris.
On-air meteorologists from KY3, KRBK Fox 5, KSPR-TV Channel 33, KOLR-TV Channel 10 and the news team from KTTS-FM 94.7 were on hand as well signing autographs, posing for photos and
Meteorologist Abby Dyer KYTV (KY3)
answering questions.
Meteorologist Abby Dyer (pictured) spent a lot of time explaining the basics of weather to curious visitors. KY3 had a very comprehensive educational display at their booth complete with charts and photos.
All of the media outlets also had their weather chase vehicles present complete with mobile weather sensing equipment on their roofs along with other important accoutrements.
Meanwhile a lot of folks enjoyed talking to KRBK Fox 5 Chief Meteorologist David Koeller (pictured) as he explained to folks the different weather extremes we can get here in the Ozarks. In fact, David agreed, Springfield, Missouri has one of the widest spans between the recorded all-time low temperature and all-time high temperature compared to other cities in the continental United States.
Meteorologist David Koeller KRBK-TV (right)
Springfield Missouri is much more weather aware following this expo. All of us at Southwest Missouri Regional Skywarn send a big thank you to everyone who worked hard and gave of their time to make this such a successful event. If you missed this year’s Expo, there’s always next year. We hope to see you there!