The GWCC Web Site — Involving Weather Broadcasters, Future Meteorologists, Students, Educators, and More…

In early 2016, the Northeast Weather Forum blog site was transformed into the Global Weather & Climate Center (GWCC) web site (http://www.globalweatherclimatecenter.com). The intent of the site didn’t change, but the name change was designed to better showcase the site’s intent. As two of the site’s directors, and now with a growing army of GWCC weather correspondents, broadcaster collaborators, and corporate partnerships, we are taking the site to those who can benefit the most from its educationally-focused, globally-based, content (i.e., people like teachers, their students and the general public). Site material will include written and striking visual content from numerous sources including those of the weather broadcast community.

It is important to make clear that the GWCC site, being educationally-keyed, is not trying to replicate the myriad of weather web sites currently spread across the web. There are more than enough of which cover “weather as it happens.” Our focus is to “make sense” of what is happening or has happened by providing explanations of weather and physical processes and highlighting the applications of that explanation to real life (including preparedness. Where appropriate, we’ll cover storm-based events, but with a greater focus on the science and safety portions of the event messaging.

While using the U.S. weather database and our own weather correspondents to advantage, we will also be tapping weather resources globally for meaningful content. As a result, teachers will have access to authentic, real-time, science-based material that can easily be incorporated into classroom discussions and activities. This includes, and needs to continue to include, content from the weather broadcast community for many reasons. Our model of sharing content material is designed to enhance visibility (e.g., web and social media sites, personalities) for all contributors.

We’ll also be grooming our college-based writers in enhanced writing skills, publishing ethics, and other aspects linked to the NWA’s Digital Media Seal.

This paper will also discuss how the single source GWCC site content could be used in classroom settings. We’ll be happy to speak with individual weathercasters to better guide them in using our site and their own site to enhance quality, reliable weather education for all their viewers.