Weather Communications Group

The Weather Communications Group is an academic support unit, within the Department of Meteorology, which focuses on instruction in synoptic meteorology and developing the communication skills of students. Through innovative teaching, creative internships and effective service projects, the Weather Communications Group seeks to supplement the excellent academic program for undergraduates and select graduate students.

The Weather Communications Group consists of Fred Gadomski, Lee Grenci, Paul Knight, and Todd Miner. Together, they participate in the following projects, which offer learning experiences for students pursuing a career in media-meteorology.

The New York Times Weather Page is prepared every day of the year by this group. Supplemental information and expertise is given to the Times when the weather is a significant news story. Each spring, the group offers a one-credit internship to a highly qualified undergraduate, which is often extended into a summer paid internship. The WCG has been preparing the weather page since 1986.

Weather World is a fifteen-minute live weather magazine show prepared each weeknight for three public television stations in Pennsylvania (WPSX, WITF, and WVIA). The program is an extension of the department's committment to provide accurate, timely weather information to Pennsylvanians, which began with the pioneer work of Dr. Charles Hosler at Penn State in 1957. The show offers numerous opportunities of apprenticeship for undergraduates. The on-camera meteorologists must demonstrate proficiency in both forecasting and presentation and must audition and be approved by both the department and WPSX-TV.

The Weather Communications Group teaches a variety of classes including: Meteo 2/3 (3), Meteo 21, Meteo 411, Meteo 415, Meteo 416, Meteo 418W, Meteo 497A, Meteo 497B, Meteo 497I, Meteo 497K, Meteo 498B. All group members teach at least one course each semester with most teaching two.

In addition, the Weather Communications Group is frequently called on to give talks to a variety of groups. The group, specifically Lee Grenci, provides academic support and advising for prospective students. The WCG works closely in supporting the Campus Weather Service and its many operational learning opportunities. The Group, specifically Fred Gadomski and Todd Miner, serve as the national co-chairmen of the National Collegiate Forecasting Contest, in which there are over 25 academic institutions and more than 700 participants. The WCG facilitates students' internships with USAToday, the USGA, The Weather Channel, and several TV stations.

Within the Weather Communications Group is the Office of the Pennsylvania State Climatologist. Between five and ten students each semester gain valuable experience managing databases, answering data requests, and working on the Web page of this office.