High Plains Chapter

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 chapter has been recognized as the 2011 Local Chapter of the Year, 2008 Local Chapter of the Year, and 2003 Local Chapter of the Year by the NWA.

Latest News and Chapter Meetings

Our next chapter meeting will likely be held sometime in June.

Our last chapter meeting was held virtually on April 22. 
Meeting minutes are now available.

The chapter has been recognized as the 2011 Local Chapter of the Year by the NWA!

Visit the Facebook page of the High Plains AMS/NWA chapter!



Jim Johnson Scholarship

The High Plains Chapter of the AMS/NWA is pleased to announce that the 2012 Jim Johnson Scholarship has been awarded to Connor Dennhardt.  Connor just graduated from Grand Island Northwest High School and will attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (U.N.L.) beginning this fall.  He will major in meteorology and hopes to gain employment as an operational forecaster upon graduation from U.N.L.  The Jim Johnson Scholarship Selection Committee received several strong candidates this year, but the committee found Connor's essay to be most impressive and inspiring.  Through his essay, Connor demonstrated a deep-rooted passion for weather which could be traced to his early childhood.  In addition, his essay also proved Connor possesses a great deal of vision both for his future career, and the science of meteorology.  Connor stopped by WFO-Hastings for a visit and during that time many of us in the office had the chance to meet this outstanding young man.  We wish Connor the best of luck as he embarks on his journey to becoming a meteorologist.


Scott Bryant (left) presents Connor Dennhardt with the 2012 Jim Johnson Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor Jim Johnson, 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.

Prior recipients of the Jim Johnson Scholarship:
2011 - Nicholas Humrich - O'Neill, NE
2010 - Brandi Davis - North Platte, NE
2009 -
Jennifer Uhrich - North Platte, NE
2008 - Jordan Carroll - Atwood, KS
2007 - William L. Friesen

The announcement for the 2011-2012 Jim Johnson Scholarship will be mailed to area schools around January 2013.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Scholarship Chairperson Scott Bryant (NWS Hastings).


15th Annual High Plains Conference

The 15th Annual High Plains Conference was held August 4-6, 2011 in Wichita, KS.  Thanks to all of our speakers and attendees!  Conference Presentations are now available (PDF version) for viewing via the 15th HPC ProgramFor additional information, please see the 15th HPC Website.


Chapter Officers

The officers for 2013 are:

President - Bill Taylor (North Platte)
Vice-President -
Jeremy Wesely (Hastings)
Treasurer - Scott Bryant
(Hastings)
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 High Plains Conference information.



Please inquire into our related links page!

Here are our officers, constitution, and members.

Direct inquiries to the webmaster.
Last update: May 15 2013