The weekend of April 19th and 20th we were at the Coastal Carolina Air Show. We handed out weather safety information and answered any questions pertaining to the weather.

The free brochures we handed out ranged from rip currents to thunderstorm safety to tornado safety, to name a few. Our most popular handouts were hurricane tracking charts and a sky watcher chart detailing the different cloud types. For the younger kids we handed out Owlie Skywarn, which are weather coloring books. We emphasized our local website as a one stop place for weather information.

In addition to the handouts, we debuted our mobile weather station which gave live temperature, wind speed, and wind gust information from our booth. The Air Show drew around 100,000 people and we handed out over 1,000 brochures.

On April 26th we were at the Lower Cape Fear celebration of Earth Day at Hugh McRae Park in Wilmington, NC.

We partnered with another NOAA agency, North Carolina's Sea Grant, who was represented by Lisa Humphrey. Working with Lisa we tailored our information toward coastal impacts such as Rip Currents.

The estimated crowd for the Earth Day event was over 1,000 people and we handed out over 100 brochures on weather safety.

On May 16th we were at South Topsail Elementary School in Hampstead, NC for a science fair.

We previously visited South Topsail back in February 2008 to present a three day series on weather, focusing on tornado and thunderstorm safety.

The estimated crowd for the science fair was 250 students and parents. Our booth displayed safety information on tornadoes. The students had the opportunity to win a mini-tornado by passing a quiz on tornado safety. All of the information for the quiz could be found on our display. All 75 mini-tornadoes were handed out before the fair was over. We better make more next year!

On May 23rd we were at St. Mark Catholic School in Wilmington, NC for a school visit with the 5th graders.

We started the class off with basic weather knowledge such as warm fronts, cold fronts, pressure systems, and weather maps. From there we covered thunderstorm safety, with our main focus was on lightning and flash flood safety.

The class ended with tornado safety. We discussed safety at home, when you are caught outside, and when you are school. To ensure the students retained what they had been taught, we gave them the opportunity to answer web-based interactive questions at the end of class. Each student who answered correctly received a sticker from the National Weather Service.

A total of 45 kids participated and recieved a cloud chart along with a brochure on thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lightning.

On May 24th we were at the Florence Air Show in Florence, SC. Despite some clouds and a few sprinkles early in the day, over a thousand people attended the event.

We had the perfect location for our booth because we set right by our weather reporting station in Florence. This station, called ASOS (automated surface observation system), measures weather parameters such as current temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and humidity to name a few. This system is where the weather observations for Florence come from.

Through the help of our Electronics Technician (ET), David Black and our Information Technology Officer (ITO), Carl Morgan, we were able to give 10 individual tours of the ASOS. The tours lasted about 10 minutes and we covered the following instruments or sensors: tipping bucket rain gauge, temperature/humidity sensor, dew point sensor, current weather sensor, ultrasonic anemometer and wind vane, ceilometer, freezing rain sensor, and visibility sensor. We covered how each instrument or sensor works, what it measures, how it measures it, and any limitations of the equipment.

In addition to the tours of the ASOS, we handed out pamphlets on rip currents, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and floods. Our most popular item was the sky watcher chart guide to the sky cloud chart poster. For the little kids we handed out owlie skywarn, a weather coloring book. The most important thing we brought to the air show was the sunshine and dry weather, which appeared from late afternoon on.

On June 7th we were at Kohl's in Wilmington, NC for the 3rd annual "Kohl's Cares For Kids" day. Despite temperatures in the middle to upper 90s with heat indices over 100, an estimated 1,000 people came to the event.

The concept behind the event was to provide various safety information to kids through a series of displays or booths. Each child that registered for the event received a sheet listing every safety booth they could attend. After attending a booth the child received a sticker showing their completion. Life jackets were provided to all children who had a full sheet of stickers showing that they attended all of the booths. An estimated 500 life jackets were handed out.

Our focus at the event was water safety, specifically rip currents. Everyone who stopped by our booth learned the basics of rip currents. These include how they form, when they are likely to form, and how to escape a rip current if you are caught in one. It was pointed out that between 2001 and 2005, 33 people were killed in the Carolinas because of rip currents. This is compared to 4 deaths from tornadoes. We wanted to emphasize that as a beach community with millions visiting beaches each summer, information on rip currents is important. An estimated 1,000 brochures and posters on rip currents were handed out.

On August 21st the Latter Day Saints Church in Wilmington visited our office. Meteorologist Mark Bacon gave a presentation on the National Weather Service and what we do here at the Wilmington office. Mark created a presentation that went over doppler radar, satellites, NOAA weather radio, and surface data observations.

After given the presentation in our conference room, Mark showed the group how our staff of meteorologists actually predict the weather. He showed them a typical workstation in which the forecaster can issue forecasts or warnings. Topics ranged from how we actually make the forecast to how we issue a severe thunderstorm warning. Mark finished off the tour with our tornado maker while taking any questions from the group. The tourlasted about an hour with 11 students plus a few parents attending.

On August 22nd, meteorologist Stephen Keebler in conjunction with the New Hanover County Department of Aging, visited Hadden Hall in Wilmington.

Stephen gave two one-hour presentations to approximately 30 seniors at Hadden Hall. He covered hurricane history, focusing on notable hurricanes to impact our area such as Hazel, Fran, and Floyd. Stephen followed up the history section with hurricane safety.

Stephen switched gears and covered another dangerous type of weather, tornadoes. After giving a history of tornadoes, Stephen again kept the focus local by covering recent tornados such as the 1984 Eastern NC Outbreak, The Rocky Point tornado, and the Riegelwood tornado. Stephen ended his presentation with tornado safety.

On August 27th, meteorologist Erik Heden was at the Columbus County 911 center for a presentation to recertify Columbus County as StormReady. StormReady was a program started in 1999 in Tulsa, OK. StormReady provides communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property both before and during the event. The program helps community leaders and emergency manages strengthen local safety programs. StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives through better planning, education, and awareness.

Columbus County first became a StormReady county in August of 2005. To be recertified as a StormReady county, Columbus County had to meet the same standards it did back in 2005 when it first became StormReady. The presentation of the StormReady certificate was the culmination of this process.

On September 9th, meteorologist Ron Steve gave a talk in Pawley's Island to the Long Bay Power Squadron group. The US Power Sqaudrons are a non profit organization that was founded in 1914. Members of the United States Power Squadrons believe in safe boating thru education, civic service, and having fun on the water.

Ron gave his presentation to approximately 20 members of the squadron. Ron focused on the marine program, specifically new products such as new marine weather messages and probability tropical forecasts.

On October 1st, meteorologist in charge (MIC) Mike Caropolo spoke to the 2nd grade class at Parsley Elementary. Mike described what a meteorologist does each day and how we predict the weather. In addition he demonstrated how a jet stream works and how we use weather balloons to measure the atmosphere.

At the end of the visit Mike showed off our latest addition to the outreach program at Wilmington, the tornado machine. This machine uses water vapor to make a tornado that the students can see and touch.

On October 6th meteorologist Erik Heden and (ET) Electronics Technician Ivan Gonzales visited the entire 5th grade class at Belville Elementary school in Leland, NC. Erik described how he uses instruments such as a thermometer, anemometer, barometer, and a rain gauge to measure and predict the weather. Ivan detailed how his job is to maintain the various instruments that meteorologists use. In addition Ivan explained how a doppler radar works. Both Ivan and Erik asked questions throughout the talk and gave away a hurricane tracking chart for the correct answers.

The students were able to feel and touch a barometer and rain gauge. In addition to the instruments that we brought that were passed around, we brought our tornado machine and mobile weather station. Our mobile weather station consists of a thermometer, radiation shield, anemometer, and a wind vane. The tornado machine uses water vapor and a fan to create a tornado you can see and touch.

At the end of the talk we answered any questions the students had along with giving the opportunity for each student to get a close look and sometimes touch of the tornado machine. In total we spoke to around 100 kids and each one received a Sky Watcher Cloud Chart before they left.

On October 22nd, meteorologist Erik Heden spoke to the 5th grade class at Lincoln Elementary school in Leland, NC. Erik presented to approximately 75 students about how a meteorologist uses instruments, doppler radar, weather satellites, and weather maps to predict the weather. Erik brought in a mobile weather station to show the students how a thermometer, wind vane, and anemometer work along with what they look like. In addition he showed them a barometer and rain gauge.

After going over the weather instruments and what a meteorologist does, Erik covered the basics of weather maps. He taught them about high and low pressure systems, along with warm and cold fronts. The students learned what weather is associated with each feature along with how to identify them on a weather map. After covering each section, the students had the opportunity to win lightning safety stickers or flood safety magnets for answering questions correctly.

At the end of class each student received a cloud chart and had the opportunity to come up and see the tornado machine that Erik brought with him.

On October 27th, meteorologists Erik Heden and Carl Morgan spoke to the 5th grade class at Acme-Delco Elementary school in Delco, NC. Carl and Erik presented to approximately 60 students about how a meteorologist uses instruments, doppler radar, weather satellites, and weather maps to predict the weather. They brought in a mobile weather station to show the students how a thermometer, wind vane, and anemometer work along with what they look like. In addition Erik demonstrated how a rain gauge worked.

After going over the weather instruments and what a meteorologist does, Erik covered the basics of weather maps. He taught them about high and low pressure systems, along with warm and cold fronts. The students learned what weather is associated with each feature along with how to identify them on a weather map. After covering each section, the students had the opportunity to win lightning safety stickers or flood safety magnets for answering questions correctly.

At the end of class each student received a cloud chart and an Owlie Skywarn activity book. They also had the opportunity to come up and see the tornado machine that Erik and Carl brought with them.

On November 1st, meteorologist Erik Heden presented, "Weather Extremes, A History Of Extreme Weather Near The Cape Fear River". Erik covered historic weather events such as tornado outbreaks, landfalling hurricanes, and winter weather. Notable storms covered included the 2006 Riegelwood Tornado, Hurricane Floyd, and Hurricane Hazel.

In addition to covering extreme weather topics Erik gave the group a general overview of the National Weather Service and detailed how users could find our products via our website.

On November 8th, electronic technician (ET) Ivan Gonzales presented weather safety information at the 10th Annual Festival Latino in Wilmington, NC. Ivan is fluid in Spanish and that enabled him to interact with an audience that otherwise might not received valuable safety information.

Ivan handed out many brochures including brochures on hurricanes, tornadoes, and clouds. These brochures were available in both spanish and english. In fact Ivan was instrumental in aquiring one of our most popular brochures, the sky watcher chart guide to the sky, in Spanish.

While many weather topics were displayed at our booth, Ivan focused on the biggest weather killer in our area, rip currents. With his fluent spanish, Ivan was able to highlight a major threat to those who swim in the ocean.

On November 20th meteorologist Stephen Keebler and Erik Heden from the National Weather Service in Wilmington along with 5th grade teacher Phillip Lampron from South Topsail Elementary, attended the Bright Ideas grant presentation at Jacksonville high school. At the awards presentation they received a $700 Bright Ideas grant from the Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation. This is the 2nd year in a row that NWS Wilmington and South Topsail have received a Bright Ideas grant. Out of 775 total applicants, we were one of the 308 applicants selected for the grant. 5th grade teacher Charlie Baker could not attend the presentation but he is a vital part of the grant.

The Bright Ideas grant program, sponsored by North Carolina's electric cooperatives, strives to improve education in North Carolina classrooms by awarding grants to teachers for innovative, classroom-based projects in grades K-12 that would not otherwise be funded. Since the program started in 1994 $5.9 millon has been awarded to North Carolina students. Stephen and Erik along with the 5th grade teachers at South Topsail will teach the 5th graders weather safety with a primary focus on tornado safety. Over the course of three classes the students will learn how to read and indentify frontal and pressure systems on a map along with what type of weather is associated with them, thunderstorm/lightning/flooding safety, and tornado safety. At the end of the series, each tornado will receive a mini-tornado. The money from the grant will help purchase these tornadoes.

On December 12th, meteorologist Erik Heden and electronic technician (ET) Ivan Gonzales from the National Weather Service in Wilmington visited all 7 classes from the 2nd grade at Belville Elementary school in Leland, NC. Erik described how he uses instruments such as a thermometer, anemometer, barometer, and a rain gauge to measure and predict the weather. In addition Ivan and Erik showed the students a weather balloon and explained how they measure the atmosphere above us. One of the favorites of the class was the jet-stream demonstration. Both Ivan and Erik asked questions throughout the talk and gave away a, "Turn Around Don't Drown", magnet for the correct answers.

To give the students a better view of the instrument, we passed each one around after we explained how we used it. In addition to the instruments that we brought, we brought our tornado machine and mobile weather station. Our mobile weather station consists of a thermometer, radiation shield, anemometer, and a wind vane. The tornado machine uses water vapor and a fan to create a tornado you can see and touch.

At the end of the talk we answered any questions the students had along with giving the opportunity for each student to get a close look at the tornado machine. In total we spoke to around 170 kids and each one received a Sky Watcher Cloud Chart, a lightning sticker, Owlie Skywarn coloring book, and a thunderstorm/tornado safety handout.

On December 16th, meteorologist Erik Heden gave a tour of the office to 20, 5th and 6th graders from the Friends School of Wilmington. Erik started off with a 15 minute presentation giving a history of the weather service and explaining what we do on a daily basis. He emphasized that our main job is to protect life and property through the issuance of timely and accurate weather watches and warnings.

After the presentation the students went outside and had hands on experience with weather instruments that we use. We went over the use of our rain gauge (both tipping bucket and standard gauges), thermometer, weather balloon, anemometer, wind vane, barometer, and instrument shelter. The last part of the visit we went back inside and toured where the meteorologist work on their forecasts. This included looking at the graphical forecast editor (GFE) where we draw our forecast, AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System), where we view computer model data along with radar and satellite images, and the NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, where we send out weather warnings.

At the end of the talk each student received a Sky Watcher cloud chart, a lightning sticker, and a thunderstorm/tornado safety handout.