News and Notes...

Information Regarding the 2015 Jim Johnson Scholarship is now available!

The High Plains Chapter of the AMS and NWA annually awards a $500 scholarship to a high school senior who will be pursuing a career in one of the physical sciences (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Earth Science including geology, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, and soil science). The scholarship is also open to those going into the teaching profession in the physical sciences. Click here if you are interested in applying, or want more information regarding this year's scholarship.

Planning is Underway for the 2015 High Plains Chapter Annual Conference!

The High Plains Chapter of the AMS and NWA will hold its 2015 annual conference in Goodland, Kansas on August 12 and 13. We are also excited to announce that Broadcast Meteorologist Dave Freeman of Wichita, Kansas will be our banquet speaker! A great deal of planning has yet to take place...so be sure to check back for updates in the coming months!

The High Plains Chapter Annual Conference Returns...

Participants of the 2014 High Plains Chapter Conference gather for a group photo

Due to financial concerns, the High Plains Chapter Conference was cancelled in 2012 and 2013. This came as a great disappointment to our chapter members and followers, but it only helped to increase the excitement and enthusiasm for this year's conference! The 16th Annual High Plains Conference was held August 5-7 on the campus of Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. The multi-day event featured over 30 presentations with topics ranging from severe convection, to software upgrades in the NWS, to cattle heat stress and the use of social media in NWS operations. Our next chapter conference is expected to take place in northwest Kansas during the summer of 2015. Whether you are a meteorologist, or just have a general interest in weather, we hope to see you at the conference next year! Conference-Related Links Conference Presentations Conference Program

2014 Jim Johnson Scholarship...

The High Plains Chapter of the AMS/NWA is pleased to announce that the 2014 Jim Johnson Scholarship has been awarded to Rachel Phinney. Rachel will graduate from Grand Island Northwest High School and will attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (U.N.L.) beginning this fall. She 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 again this year, but the committee found Rachel’s essay to be well-written and most inspiring. Congratulations Rachel!