Summer Air Quality Study Precedes Start of Air Quality Forecasts

NOAA scientists and colleagues from other government agencies, academia, and the international science community will conduct the largest air quality study in New England this summer. NOAA's Office of Global Programs is providing $4.6 million for the New England Air Quality Study.

"We look to this study to better understand air quality issues unique to this area," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. "That information will also be used for NOAA's daily Air Quality forecasts, that will start in the northeast this fall, with plans to go nationwide within the next five years."

Poor air quality leads to health problems and loss of life. In cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local agencies, NWS will provide operational air quality models and generate forecast pollutant concentrations and provide them to the EPA. Paula Davidson is the Air Quality Program Manager for NWS's Office of Science and Technology.

Read the complete NOAA news release here.

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Service Above Self: Women in Weather Bureau in WWII

During Women's History Month, NOAA pays tribute to the pioneering women who paved the way for today's women in the NWS. These pioneers lived the NWS value, "Service Above Self," with their contributions and sacrifices. They inspired many to make their careers in weather, water, and climate services.

Between 1942 and 1945, many women entered the Weather Bureau as junior observers to fill vacancies created when men left to serve in the armed forces. When the war ended, some stayed on and made careers with the Weather Bureau.

In a recent letter sent to several women in the Weather Bureau during World War II, NWS Director, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. D.L. Johnson, noted their "can-do" attitude. "They made a vital contribution to the U.S. war efforts and provided critical support to homeland safety," Johnson wrote. Using rudimentary tools by today's standards (thermometers, barometers, a teletype, light tables, and radiosonde balloons), they provided valuable weather information and strengthened the workforce in general.

"We filled important roles in obtaining essential weather information and disseminating it to the military and commercial air operations," said Marie Wichita Polkey Scott, who worked for the Weather Bureau from 1943-47, in Omaha, NE. "Our work made it possible to keep the weather stations staffed while so many men were in the armed service. Advance knowledge of changing weather conditions was especially needed back then when planes were slower and flew at lower altitudes."

John T. Curran, retired Meteorologist-In-Charge of the Indianapolis Weather Forecast Office (WFO) agrees.

"These women provided a wonderful service to the country during the war years. My aunt, Susan Sohler, was one of those women. This month she celebrated her 62nd anniversary of joining the Weather Bureau and her 60th anniversary of joining the Navy." Sohler is now 94 and lives in Evansville, IN. "Aunt Susan was quite excited when she learned of my interest in becoming a meteorologist as a child," said Curran. "I still have the booklets she gave me."

Frank Kelly, Chief of Programs and Plans Division, NWS Office of Science and Technology, was inspired by his mother's work with the Weather Bureau.

"My mother entered what once was a male-dominated field and provided critical support to this country during a pivotal time in American history," notes Kelly. "These women stepped in, stepped up to the plate, and excelled in the field of meteorology and hydrology. They filled important roles and left a lasting legacy. Looking back, their contributions are significant, in terms of personal sacrifice, work ethic, and aiding this nation."

Bill Carle, Lead Forecaster at the Aviation Weather Center, whose mother also worked in the Weather Bureau during WWII, shares those sentiments. Dorothy Twomey Carle worked in the Detroit, Juneau, and Anchorage weather offices between 1942 and 1950.

"My mother treasured her time with the Weather Bureau. She was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of seeing Alaska while providing an important service to her country. In looking back, I salute all the women during that time who worked so hard to provide essential weather information. My mother's love of the Weather Bureau inspired me to become a meteorologist and to join the NWS."

The legacy of women in the Weather Bureau remains strong. Marie Wichita Polkey Scott, Petronella Kelly, Susan Sohler, and Dorothy Twomey Carle are just a few of the shining examples of women who served this country during WWII. Scott tells women today to "try for the extraordinary occupation, not the mundane. Learn as much as you can, strengthening your mind and body to compete. Don't hesitate to get into new endeavors. There is much joy and satisfaction in meeting new challenges."

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After a courageous battle with cancer, NWS Western Region Facilities Program Manager Bob Kinsinger passed away on March 20, 2004.

"Bob was born and raised in Tooele, UT. He was a very caring and fun loving person," wrote Western Region Headquarters (WRH) Director Vickie Nadolski in the March 25, 2004, WRH Staff Notes. "Bob enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hiking, rafting, and of course his mule (military 4-wheel vehicle). He worked extensively with scouts and became a scout leader.

Bob Kinsinger

"He also enjoyed working with stained glass and became very accomplished at the skill. He loved old guns and had amassed a very nice collection. Bob loved and adored his family, which was evident by many trips and school outings they would take."

"Bob always spoke of and shared stories about his family. Bob held a variety of jobs during his career. In college, he was employed with the Forest Service and spent the summers fighting fires. After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bob went to work at the Tooele Army Depot. He later took the Professional Engineering exam and received his Professional Engineers Stamp. Bob came to work for the NWS in 1995 and helped manage the transition and modernization of the WFOs. Bob has been involved in every office as the Facilities Program Manager. Bob was an outstanding colleague, a wonderful friend to many, and always a great help to all. He will be greatly missed."

Bob Kinsinger is survived by his wife Tami, son Isaac (7) and daughter Tara (11). Donations are being collected to purchase savings bonds for his children's future. To make a donation, contact Dee Wolf at 801-524-6295 or dee.wolf@noaa.gov.

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Honor Roll:
2003 Max A. Kohler Award Winner Announced

Bobby E. Stucky, a veteran hydrologist who serves as the Developmental Operational Hydrologist (DOH) at the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC), is the latest recipient of the NWS Max A. Kohler Award. Read more here.

NWS Headquarters Employee Receives Local 'Women of Distinction Award'

Janice Sylvestre of the Office of Hydrologic Development was one of 12 recipients of this year's "Women of Distinction Award" from the Seas and Skies Chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW). Sylvestre is Acting Branch Chief, Hydrologic Science and Modeling Branch, NWS Office of Hydrologic Development. FEW is an international organization working for the advancement of women in government. The Chapter recognized Sylvestre for "her contributions to the goals and mission of NOAA." Read more here.

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Elementary School Children Are Wild About Winter

An Omaha/Valley, NE, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) staffer recently worked with nearly 500 Gretna elementary students at a four-day workshop to cap off the school's "Wild About Winter" reading program.

Each year, administrators at Gretna Elementary School, Gretna, NE, pick a theme to accompany their six-week reading program. Little did they know how appropriate their "Wild About Winter" theme would be. The area experienced three major snowstorms at one time and the Omaha area approached the all-time snow-on-the-ground record.

WFO Omaha/Valley Meteorologist Cathy Zapotocny partnered with parent and former Broadcast Meteorologist Marc Kramer to develop the weather portion of a 4-H camp workshop offered to students who fulfilled at least 40 days of reading.

Cathy Zapotocny (far right), WFO Omaha/Valley, involves students in a snowflake activity. The weather program was part of a 4-day workshop that focused on winter. Photo by Dan Whitted.

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Science Talent Search Finalist Meets with Climate Prediction Center Scientists

Elizabeth Heller of Nanuet, NY, one of 40 finalists in the 2004 Intel Science Talent Search, a sciences competition for high school seniors, recently visited the NWS Climate Prediction Center for a day.

As part of a week-long visit to Washington, DC, students request to meet leading scientists and organizations that closely match their interests. Heller's project was titled An Evaluation of the 1868 El Niño. She wanted to talk to NWS scientists about El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) monitoring and prediction activities, climate variability, and numerical climate prediction modeling. On March 16, 2004, Heller attended a daily weather briefing and met with climate forecasters to discuss the Spring Seasonal Outlook and related topics.

The top 40 students in the competition are selected from a pool of over 1,600 of the brightest high school seniors across the Nation. Finalists compete for a total of $530,000 in scholarships.

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