Weather Education in Arkansas: The National Weather Service

Even though the technology of the National Weather Service has increased over the last few years, the public has not always understood what the NWS is doing to help keep them informed. The weather of Arkansas has a wide range. Even through most NWS offices have the same official capacity as the NWS in North Little Rock for working with different facets of the community, this office stays on the cutting edge for involving the public through many different avenues of educational opportunities.

Opportunities for the public include the following: Spotter Sessions - Tornadoes in our state can occur in any month of the year. Spotter sessions train organized groups such as amateur radio operators, fire and police, and other volunteers throughout the state. These groups provide a service to their communities during severe or adverse weather outbreaks.

Public Talks - Informational sessions are shared with civic groups such as the Lions, Rotary and SERTOMA. NWS personnel are often asked to share information.

Educational Outreach - You will find that the personnel from the NWS are called upon to visit schools and universities. Along with visiting school this office also participates in a program called "Vital Links". This is a program sponsored by the local school districts to introduce students who have completed the sixth grade to the area of meteorology. These students spend several hours a day for two weeks at the NWS office. Graduating seniors also visit this office for career advice.

Six of the meteorologist in this office have participated in DATASTREME. This is an online meteorology course offered through collabration of the AMS and NSF.

This office has also been a STRIVE site for several teachers in the state. This program allows a public school teacher to work in the NWS office for twelve weeks in the summer.

Government groups - Work is done with the Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance to county and state managers who then relay this information to the public. Other talks are given for the Arkansas Commission on Soil and Water Conservation during times of extreme weather problems such as drought or floods.

NOAA Weather Wire Service and Weather Radio - These two services provide a continuous stream of information that is used by the media and the public with instantaneous information on general and severe weather.

State Proclamations - The NWS office work in conjunction with the Governor's office to designate special weather weeks for the state - Severe Weather Week and Winter Weather Week. Special media attention and NWR broadcasts are made to emphasize safety rules and general topics for the public.

Infonet -The hydrometeorological technicians oversee a network of about 100 private citizens who take weather observations in their communities.

The personnel at the NWS in Arkansas are very important. Arkansas has had its share of major weather events the last few years. The voice of the NWS is very important in explaining the phenonmena that have affected many lives. Educating the public, keeping them informed, and being there after events have happened are things that make our NWS office unique and important for our state.