The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host a Winter Weather Sky Clue & Safety Workshop with WAGM Chief Meteorologist Ted Shapiro on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Folsom Hall Room 105. Campus and community members of all ages are invited to attend this free event.
Shapiro will be covering everything from “snow storms to ice storms to blizzards… oh my!” and he’ll help you make sense of the watches, warnings, and advisories that are frequently issued. He will also show you how to recognize easy-to-spot sky clues that tell you a winter storm may be on the way.
Northern Maine experiences a wide range of winter weather each and every year and Shapiro said that knowing the signs of approaching dangerous winter weather goes a long way toward being properly prepared.
“This is a fun, informative event for everyone and I would hope that parents, teachers and scout leaders bring their school-age kids to learn about winter weather clues and winter weather safety,” Shapiro said. “Be prepared for everything Mother Nature might throw our way this winter season… know the signs ahead of time!”
Ted Shapiro was born and raised near Washington, D.C. He has served as Chief Meteorologist at WAGM-TV in Presque Isle since 2006. He also teaches a field course in weather observation at UMPI. Shapiro is a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador.
The Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ initiative is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) effort to formally recognize NOAA partners who are improving the nation’s readiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience against extreme weather, water, and climate events, according to NOAA’s website. As a WRN Ambassador, partners commit to working with NOAA and other Ambassadors to strengthen national resilience against extreme weather, helping to unify the efforts across government, non-profits, academia, and private industry toward making the nation more ready, responsive, and resilient against extreme environmental hazards.
This workshop is part of UMPI’s StormReady efforts. In 2007, UMPI received a federal designation as a National Weather Service StormReady University, making it the second campus in New England, after Harvard University, and the 21st campus in the nation to receive this designation. Established in 1999, StormReady helps arm communities with the planning, communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property before and during storm events. Program “communities” can include cities, towns, universities, Indian Nations, and government and private entities. Among the requirements that must be met to maintain a StormReady designation is promoting the importance of public readiness through community seminars.
For more information about this free event, please contact UMPI’s Community and Media Relations Office at 768-9452.
