American Meteorological Society / National Weather Association
Welcome to the professional meteorology headquarters of the U.S High
Plains! We are a local chapter sponsored jointly by the AMS and NWA. Our coverage area spans western
Oklahoma to western/central Kansas and Nebraska. If
you are a resident of this area, or just have an interest in
its wild weather, you've come to the right cyberplace!
The last
chapter meeting was held April 30 in Norton,
KS. Our speaker was Tim Samaras,
who discussed high-speed photography of naturally produced
lightning. Minutes
from the April meeting are now available.
The next chapter meeting is tentatively planned for mid to late July. 12th Annual High
Plains
Conference
The 12th Annual High
Plains Conference will be held September
4-5, 2008 in Hays, KS. A Call
for Papers is available, with one-page abstract
submissions due August 1.
Additional conference information including conference location and
lodging are now available.
On-line registration will be available soon.
Keynote speakers
include: Eve Gruntfest, University of
Colorado -- Societal Impacts of Weather and Forecasting Greg Carbin, Storm Prediction
Center -- High Plains Severe Weather Mary Ann Cooper, MD, University
of Chicago -- Physiological Impacts of Lightning on Survivors Pat Market, University of
Missouri -- High Plains Winter Weather 11th Annual High
Plains
Conference
The 11th Annual High
Plains Conference was held August
16-17, 2007 in
Hastings,
NE. Keynote
speakers included Jon Davies
(Private Meteorologist - Wichita, KS), Ron Przybylinski (NWS
St. Louis), Dr. Peter Lamb
(Director of CIMMS), and John
Ogren (Deputy
Director of NWS Central Region). Presentations from the
Conference are now available
on-line for viewing/download. Some pictures
from the conference are available courtesy NWS Hastings. Jim Johnson Scholarship
The High
Plains Chapter of the AMS/NWA is pleased to announce that William L.
Friesen is the first recipient of the Jim Johnson Scholarship.
This scholarship was established to honor Jim Johnson, recently retired
Lead Forecaster at NWS Dodge City, for his contributions to the
founding of the High Plains AMS/NWA chapter and 1st Annual Conference
in Dodge City in 1996. Dodge City's Matt Gerard and Larry Ruthi
presented the award certificate at Meade, KS High School on May 17,
2007 during their Academic Achievement Night.
Willie graduated second in his class of 30 with a GPA of 3.98. He
will be attending Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS starting this fall
semester. He will be majoring in Chemistry and Physics, as well
as Secondary Education, with future plans of becoming a high school
science teacher. Willie was also the recipient of the KU Honor
Student Award. Activities he has been involved with include the
Science Club (president), Key Club, National Honor Society (secretary),
Choir, Band, Varsity Scholar's Bowl, TLC Youth Group, and a member of
Emmanuel Mennonite Church.
Matt Gerard and William Friesen. Photo by Larry Ruthi.
Chapter Officers
The
officers for 2008 are:
President - Rick Ewald (Hastings)
Vice-President - Mike Umscheid (Dodge City)
Treasurer - Matt Masek (North Platte)
Secretary - Tim Burke
(Dodge City)
See
our officers
page for contact info and "mug shots."
Past Meetings
Click here
to go to the past meetings webpage, which includes regular meeting
minutes and
past conference information.
Please
inquire into our related links page!