Earlier this month, the individuals you elected to represent you as directors on the NWA Board of Directors (formerly called Councilors) met in Tulsa to conduct the business of the organization. We traditionally have two in-person board meetings each year, although the past two years during COVID proved to be exceptions. The other in-person board meeting typically occurs at the annual meeting. This will be my fifth year serving as a director. We elect people for three-year terms, so that means I have one more year. In my case—this three-year term is distinguished as president-elect, president, and past president. With the meeting fresh in mind, I thought I would use this month’s president’s message to talk a little about governance of the organization.

The daily business of the National Weather Association is carried out by our wonderfully talented CEO, Janice Bunting and her incredible staff. The Board of Directors lead the organization and provide direction. There are currently 14 directors, including the officers. It’s easy to forget who was elected shortly after the results are announced, but you can refresh your memory here. The NWA also has many committee members, committee chairs, and a commissioner of committees who help carry out activities that are important to the members.

You may wonder what a board member does. We are required by our bylaws to meet at least four times per year. We often work virtually discussing issues using an online platform. One of our formal duties is to approve the budget and oversee the financial administration of the NWA. Normally, we include a review of the NWA’s finances at each board meeting. We approve new policies or changes to operating procedures. We also help to determine what is important for the NWA’s future. At this month’s meeting, for example, we discussed our strategic plan and spent some time working on those areas
we’d like to see the NWA grow or change in the future. It was wonderful to meet in person again and I am happy at the progress we made to think ahead about the next few years. Hopefully our planning will lead to some new ideas or activities you will hear about soon.

Are you interested in getting more involved with NWA governance? Many of the board members started as a committee member or chair. I was the university member of the Broadcast Committee before I was asked if I’d like to run for the board. We would love for more members to get involved in committee activity, whether as a member of a standing committee or through other special calls for service like reviewing meeting abstracts or helping with sessions. If you would like to become more involved, you may fill out the volunteer form in Member Resources or contact me or the NWA office. 

Annual Meeting Updates: Registration NOW OPEN!

• Attendees have the option to attend in person or virtually.
• All registrants must indicate that they have read and agreed to the National Weather Association Release and Waiver of Liability to submit a registration. The Waiver contains our COVID-19 policies and other policies related to the meeting.
• NWA Members receive discounts on registration. You must be a paid and approved member prior to registering to receive the member discount on registration. Allow up to a week for approval of your membership. 

Schedule:
The preliminary and final agendas will be posted on the meeting website as they become available. Please check back often and follow #NWAS22 on social media.

Saturday, August 20:     Student Session/Events, Exhibitor set-up, Registration Desk opens
Sunday, August 21:       Broadcaster Workshop, Master Class, Exhibit Hall
Monday, August 22:       General Sessions, Exhibit Hall
Tuesday, August 23:      General Sessions, Exhibit Hall
Wednesday, August 24: General Sessions and Annual Awards Luncheon

The Student and Early-Career Professionals Conference will be held in-person and virtually on Saturday, August 20th from 1PM to 7PM EDT.

We have decided to hold the Student Conference on Saturday this year so that it gives everyone an opportunity to (1) attend the Broadcaster's Conference on Sunday if interested and (2) return to campus for the start of classes if necessary. This year, we'll have panel discussions about moving away from home and how to sell yourself in the job market. We're also excited to welcome John Gordon from NWS Louisville to discuss damage surveys, and FOX23 Tulsa meteorologist Laura Mock to talk about the vast array of opportunities as a broadcast meteorologist.

In order to foster more engagement among attendees, we'll host an interview workshop and an "Ask Me Anything" session with our panelists and speakers. This year's Student Conference will be a great one and we would love to see you in Pittsburgh or online in August!

Annual Meeting Master Class: Fire Weather Forecasting!

Do you want to learn how to forecast wildfires or “brush up” on your fire weather forecasting
skills? Sign up for the Master Class at the upcoming NWA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania! The Master Class is an opportunity for meteorologists from multiple sectors to
come together and learn about a specific meteorological topic from expert proctors in an
interactive and fun setting. The course this year will be around two hours long and structured in
the format of a case study. After learning about how to forecast fire weather, participants will
walk through the forecasting process using data from a recent high-impact fire weather event. In
addition, participants will consider how to message the evolving wildfire threat through multiple
interactive mediums.

The Master Class will take place in an in-person format on Sunday, August 21, between 8:00
and 10:00 a.m. EDT in a location that will be announced soon. Take note that the morning
timing of the course this year is different than in previous years. The new time was selected to
accommodate students who may need to leave and prepare for the upcoming school year by
Sunday afternoon. In addition, the Master Class organizers did not want to compete with the
many fun evening activities that will be taking place around Pittsburgh during the Annual
Meeting.

Look for announcements leading up to the NWA Annual Meeting for registration information.

If you have any questions about the Master Class, please email Brett Borchardt. We hope to see you there!

Update on the NWA Research to Operations Nexus Meetup at the 2022 NWA Annual Meeting
by Jaret Rogers, NWA Weather and Forecasting Committee

Some exciting news! The Research to Operations Nexus (RON) Meetup will officially return to the 2022 NWA Annual Meeting. And for the first time ever, a separate panel discussion with experts in weather-related research-to-operations (R20) initiatives will be featured during the annual meeting's General Session, in addition to the traditional meetup event. 

An NWA event since its inception in 2015, the RON Meetup provides the opportunity for an interactive discussion between research and operational meteorologists, modelers, hydrologists, students, social scientists, etc. During the event, groups rotate through a number of stations in speed-mentoring fashion to discuss a variety of opportunities for sharing ongoing research and operational needs that could benefit forecast and warning operations. The goal is simple: to build and develop new relationships based on shared interests that span beyond traditional barriers between research and operations.

The idea for RON meetups was inspired by the memory of Ron Przybylinski. Ron was a former Science and Operations Officer (SOO) at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in St. Louis, Missouri, and he left the legacy of his unending motivation to interconnect weather operations and research in meaningful and enduring ways. Ron was a master in the transition zone, or nexus, of operations and research. Research interactions with Ron led to large projects that provided great benefit to both the operational and research communities.

The panel discussion part of this year’s RON event is tentatively scheduled to take place the morning of Monday, August 22nd, and will feature a hybrid format for both in-person or online participation. A small group of expert panelists will discuss the RON Meetup and R2O topics, and will answer questions from conference attendees. Be on the lookout for an opportunity to submit questions to our panelists!

Registration is encouraged prior to the traditional RON Meetup component, which is scheduled for the evening of Monday, August 22nd and will feature an in-person format where participants meet in small groups to discuss a variety of weather-related topics. The stations include a wide range of topics such as winter weather, supercells and tornadoes, communicating risk, fire weather, probabilistic forecasting, impact-based decision support services, etc. Look for announcements leading up to the NWA Annual Meeting for registration information. People from all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to participate, including students!

Return to Top

Two New Seal Holders

What sparked your interest in meteorology?
The marked weather pattern differences between my hometown of Cumberland, MD, and the nearby Allegheny Highlands, especially during the winter. I was always intrigued as to why in the summer the storms would produce more intense rainfall in the Alleghenies and snowfall amounts would be appreciably higher in the Alleghenies than my hometown.

Return to Top

Introducing Community 

Welcome to the NWA Community! This new platform lets members interact with other members and access the latest NWA happenings. We will be launching soon, so stay tuned!

Return to Top

Lightning Safety Awareness Week

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week begins June 19 this year. 

From The Lightning Safety Council: 

"National Lightning Safety Awareness week was started in 2001 to call attention to this underrated killer. Since then, U.S. lightning fatalities have dropped from about 55 per year to less than 30. This reduction in fatalities is largely due to greater awareness of the lightning danger, and people seeking safety when thunderstorms threaten. During National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, we encourage you to learn more about lightning and lightning safety." 

In 2021, there were only 11 documented lightning fatalities in the U.S., a new record low. A media release acknowledges the drop in fatalities to “Increased awareness efforts, including lightning safety campaigns, and the growing accessibility of weather information.” 

Let’s make 2022 a lightning-safe year by staying informed and sharing lightning safety information.  

The Lightning Safety Council resources page provides videos, brochures and articles on lightning safety, survivor stories, and more. 

The National Weather Service has several informative graphics you can share and an overview lightning safety.

Here are some facts to remember the next time you encounter a storm.

1.  The threat of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches, reaches a peak when the storm is overhead, and then gradually diminishes as the storm moves away
2. If the sky looks threatening or if you hear thunder, get inside a safe place immediately. Once inside, avoid contact with  electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors. Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.
3. If someone is struck by lightning, they may need immediate medical attention. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch.

Return to Top

Weather-Ready Nation Summer Campaign

The National Weather Service provides guidelines for a safe summer. Here are some useful graphics, provided by the NWS Weather-Ready campaign. 

More sharable graphics can be found at the NWS Social Media: Summer Recreation page.

Return to Top

Beat the Heat, Check the Backseat

Every summer, children and pets die in hot cars. These are preventable deaths. 

The National Weather Service lists basic safety recommendations for anyone responsible for children or pets.

• NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE. NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE!
• IF YOU SEE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A HOT VEHICLE, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!
• IF A CHILD IS MISSING, ALWAYS CHECK THE CAR FIRST!
• Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies.
• Always lock your car and ensure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices.
• If a child is missing, check the car first, including the trunk.

Jan Null, CCM at Golden gate Weather Services, is a nationally recognized expert on Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke. Jan raises awareness for heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles through his website, noheatstroke.org.

We have borrowed a few graphics that illustrate the severity of car-induced hyperthermia. By promoting Jan’s hard work, we hope to prevent tragedy and raise awareness. 

 More sharable graphics are available on noheatstroke.org.

Return to Top

New Director of the National Weather Service 

From NOAA: 

"Kenneth Graham is the next NOAA assistant administrator for weather services and the 17th director of the National Weather Service, effective, June 7, 2022.

Since April 2018, Graham has served as the director of the National Hurricane Center, leading the nation through numerous hurricanes, including 30 named storms during the record-breaking 2020 hurricane season. His tireless energy to build effective partnerships at all levels of government and his close work with emergency managers underpin the nation’s preparedness ahead of hazardous weather.

Graham earned a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in geoscience from Mississippi State University. He was recently named the 2022 Weatherperson of the Yearoffsite link by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and was a 2021 finalistoffsite link for the Partnership for Public Service’s Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal. Graham is a member of the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Association and the International Association of Emergency Managers.

A native of Phoenix, Graham and his wife, Laura, have three daughters."

Congratulations, Kenneth Graham! 

Return to Top 

Seal Holder Kirk Mellish Granted Gubernatorial Commendation

After announcing his retirement back In July, WSB's veteran meteorologist Kirk Mellish was granted a Gubernatorial Commendation from Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp for his 30-plus years of service to the Atlanta Metro area. 

The commendation recognizes Mellish for being a pioneer in his field, becoming the first full-time, radio-only meteorologist in the nation while serving Georgians with timely forecast updates and around-the-clock coverage on severe weather. 

Mellish is also recognized as a leader by the American Meteorologist Society and National Weather Association and was inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame back in 2010.

"When I joined WSB In Atlanta in July 1987 just three years ofter graduation, I never would hove thought I'd stay this long,” said Mellish. “It has been a blessing to turn my childhood hobby into a career and to serve most of these decodes as the first radio-only, full-time meteorologist the country. This is the type of broadcasting innovation typical of WSB and CMG leadership in the industry. lt has been an honor and privilege to work with so many great colleagues and big names in our business in management, on-air and behind the scenes. I look forward to the next chapter in my life and am excited to pass the baton, or should I say barometer, to Christina Edwards, who will be a great fit for the tradition of weather coverage on 95.5 WSB."'  

Since retiring as a full-time meteorologist for WSB Radio, Mellish has emerged Into a consultant role for the station and will remain on the staff until the end of the year. Meteorologist Christina Edwards will be taking over for Mellish as she returns to the Atlanta area following a six-year tenure in the Tennessee Valley at WHNT News 19. 

The State of Georgia is proud to call Mellish one of its own for his dedication to his craft and honors him for the service he has provided to communities for so many years. 

Return to Top

The High Plains AMS/NWA Chapter Minutes
Jeremy Martin, President
Wesley Hovorka, Secretary

The AMS/NWA High Plains Chapter held a virtual meeting on GoTo Webinar at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 13. Six chapter members were able to attend. President Jeremy Martin started the meeting by saying we should be able to have the next meeting in person due to COVID restrictions being reduced. Everyone agreed and hopefully the next meeting will be in person. Treasurer Merl Heinlein stated that the link to pay for dues via PayPal is up and running. Merl also gave a treasury report with balances remaining around the same as last meeting. We did send out a scholarship check to the winner of the 2021 Jim Johnson Scholarship. We then moved on to talk about two officer positions that need to be filled. Merl was selected as a Science and Operations Officer at the Eureka, California, office and will need to step down as Treasurer. Jeremy will also need to step down as President due to increasing workload of his current position and other duties. If anyone is interested in becoming one of these officers please fill out the Nomination form or let one of the officers know ASAP. The presenter for the meeting was not able to attend due to scheduling conflicts. The presentation was recorded and can be viewed on Google Drive. The meeting then ended around 11:45 a.m. The next High Plains chapter meeting is expected to be in the next month or two and hopefully in person.

Return to Top

Juneteenth

Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth") is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

In 1863, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, establishing that all enslaved people "henceforward shall be free." It wouldn't be until June 19, 1965, two and a half years later, Union troops arrived in Texas to free all the enslaved.

Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. 

Read more about this historic day at history.com.

Return to Top

Pride Month

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year June to honor the LGBTQ+ liberation movement. 

From The Library of Congress: 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the "day" soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months. National Coming Out Day (October 11), as well as the first "March on Washington" in 1979, are commemorated in the LGBTQ community during LGBT History Month.

Return to Top

Upcoming Events

July
Esri User Conference

August
NWA Annual Meeting

November
Northeast Regional Operational Workshop
Mid-Atlantic Chaser Conference
National Disaster Resilience Conference
International Association of Emergency Managers

Return to Top 

Jobs Corner

Have you checked out our job page recently? 

We update the job postings as they arrive, and they've been arriving more frequently.

Check out the newest job postings or submit a job posting here.

Return to Top

National Weather Association | 3100 Monitor Ave, Suite 123 | Norman OK 73072 | 405.701.5167 

Publisher: Janice Bunting, NWA CEO
Technical Editor: Winnie Crawford
Digital Editor: Valerie Sharp

Submit newsletter items to [email protected]
using the NWA Newsletter Instructions for Authors

Copyright © 2022 National Weather Association, All rights reserved.