Senator Elizabeth Dole's Eastern District Representative, Janet Bradbury (middle) and NOAA's NWS Tom Kriehn (right), Meteorologist-In-Charge of WFO Newport/Morehead City, NC, watch as Senior Forecaster John Elardo demonstrates the Advanced Weather Information Processing System. During a recent tour of the WFO, Bradbury discovered how NOAA's NWS is using technology to provide improved, cost-effective services to North Carolina. "I am very familiar with hurricane impacts in the state, especially Isabel. I toured the affected areas with Senator Dole right after Isabel and actively reviewed the Service Assessment for Hurricane Isabel," Bradbury said. "It is extremely important for us to have close contact with the National Weather Service offices that service our area, to ensure our state is ready for technology and the office operations," she continued. Bradbury was invited to the annual Partner's Workshop in May, which is a large gathering of Emergency Mangers and media that discuss weather issues affecting the state.

Science and Operations Officer Bruce Entwistle (white sweater) and Electronics Systems Analyst Grady Bonsall sitting to his left were among the staff at the Goodland, KS, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) which hosted a scholar bowl for 7th and 8th grade students January 31, 2005. The outreach event was in support of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Students were challenged academically during 18 rounds of questions, with subjects ranging from math and science to social science, arts and literature. A total of 100 students from 9 schools in NW Kansas and eastern Colorado participated. The staff at the Goodland office organized the event, researched and wrote questions, and also served as moderators, judges and scorekeepers. Photo by Joy Hayden, Administrative Support Assistant, WFO Goodland.

Data Acquisition Program Manager, James A. Kline of the Chanhassen, MN, Weather Forecast Office recently gave his 700th presentation since he began his outreach program with NOAA's NWS in 1978. Kline, with more than 30 years service in the agency, says he has spoken to over 150,000 people, mainly students in groups averaging 20 to 35 people at a time.

Take a look at other NWS news, as submitted for the NOAA Weekly Report.