Weather agency opens to public
Tour and activities suitable for all ages
Weather geeks and would-be meteorologists will be in heaven Saturday.
The Spokane office of the National Weather Service plans to hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to show the public how it monitors and forecasts weather.
Various displays and presentations are planned during the event, which will include special activities for children, making the open house an educational opportunity.
The region’s weather radar site operates out of the Spokane office northwest of Airway Heights at 2601 N. Rambo Road, and visitors can learn how it works.
Weather balloons will be launched for official data collection at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the public is welcome to watch the launches and learn about the information being collected.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour. Be sure to check out the computer model forecast screens.
Presentations are expected on weather trends possible during the coming autumn and winter months.
A senior hydrologist from the Weather Service in Portland will be on hand.
To get to the open house, go west on U.S. Highway 2 just past Airway Heights to Rambo Road and take a right. Go 2 1/2 miles north on Rambo Road and look for the weather radar dome.
For more information, call the office at (509) 244-0110, ext. 222 for John Livingston, meteorologist in charge, or ext. 223 for Kerry Jones, warning coordination meteorologist. Online, go to www.weather.gov/Spokane.