3 Questions

[S. Goodwin]

First off, I'm very much a beginner. I'm still reading weather books and researching online a lot. I have a few of questions if someone could answer:

1- Does a large downtown city with a lot of closely spaced buildings have an effect on how severe storms will be?

2- I'm looking to take a local Skywarn class. What topics do they discuss? Does one have any responsibilities after taking the class, or can it be for just general knowledge?

3- Has anyone taken the meteorology program at SLU? Just wondering if the classes and instructors were good or if I should look into somewhere else.

Thanks in advance,

Sara

 

[John Wetter]

Hi Sara,

Easy answers:

1- No.
2- Storms basically, storm structures, what's important to spotters, safety. No, no responsibility is required; I always have at least a couple to a few people that are there just for personal information.
3- SLU, sorry don't know about the program.

 

[Steve Dedman]

3- Has anyone taken the meteorology program at SLU? Just wondering if the classes and instructors were good or if I should look into somewhere else.

[donning asbestos suit]

Meaning no disrespect towards SLU's program (or any other), but if severe weather is your main interest, and you can get into the program, OU is the place to go. OU is like the MIT of severe weather research and study. If you were accepted into the math dept. at MIT, it's kind of hard to find other schools that can compete. If you want to study severe weather, is there a better place to do it than the home of the NSSL?

Texas Tech has a great program as well, but I am not nearly as familiar with it as I am the OU program. I believe Penn St. has a good program too. SLU might indeed have a very good program, but I know nothing of it. There are several around the country, and where you go might be dependent on your area of interest. You might look at one of the Florida schools if tropical weather is your area of interest. But if you're looking at tornado/severe thunderstorms, you can't beat OU.

[/suit]

 

[S. Goodwin]

Thanks for both answers! Steve, I will look into OU. I certainly seems more fitting.