CPSWS 2006
The Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium
SATURDAY, April 1, 2006. 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Lincoln, Nebraska (Southwest High School, 7001 South 14th Street)

Surviving The Storms -
"We Can't Prevent Severe Weather But We Can Be Better Prepared"

Brought to the public FREE due to the generous financial support of
Midland Radio, HyVee Grocery Stores, and State Farm Insurance

NOTE:  There will be door prizes at the symposium which were
donated by The Weather Channel and Midland Radio

SYMPOSIUM LINKS:

Photo Gallery from this Year

Complete Schedule of CPSWS 2006

Map Showing Location of the Symposium

Featured Presentations

Featured Events

Exhibits

Photo Gallery from Last Year (2005)
Symposium Description:  Storm chasers, storm researchers, emergency management agencies and storm trackers headline the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium on April 1, 2006. The theme for the free public event is "Surviving the Storms--We Can't Prevent Severe Weather But we Can be Better Prepared"

      The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lincoln Southwest High School, 7001 South 14th Street. It will include spectacular storm videos, talks by storm chasers and storm photographers, visits with television meteorologists, and free information and displays by weather-related organizations. Weather permitting, a weather balloon will be launched and tracked by computer from the symposium site.  The public is also invited to participate in the storm spotter training at the symposium and see a multimedia presentation to learn about becoming a volunteer storm spotter.

       Additionally, weather teams from the following television stations will be on hand: KOLN/KGIN Channels 10/11 Lincoln and Grand Island; KLKN, Channel 8 Lincoln; KETV, Channel 7 Omaha; KMTV, Channel 3 Omaha; and KPTM, Channel 42 Omaha.

BACKGROUND:
Since 1999, the School of Natural Resources, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has presented a free annual severe weather preparedness event, The Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium - "CPSWS.” 
CPSWS has always been open to the public, it has been a huge success, growing to an attendance of nearly 4,000 last year. 

The theme of the symposium is always “Surviving the Storms.” We bring in national and local experts to present and help the public better reduce injuries and mitigate loss of property and life from all forms of severe weather. Several exhibitors also provide those attending with information, products or services that help them better plan to “survive the storms.”

The symposium attracts all ages, from children to grandparents and features many hands-on activities and demonstrations. Media attention has been extensive, including coverage by all Lincoln and Omaha television stations, Lincoln and Omaha papers and several radio stations.

SEVERE WEATHER SPOTTER TRAINING WORKSHOPS:
Each year we have an afternoon workshop to train our county storm spotters.  This has been open to the public and we continue encouraging the public to attend since we feel that the public would benefit from a better knowledge of severe storms.  This year we have decided to add a second severe weather spotting workshop so that we will have both a beginning and advanced workshop. 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

  • The urban search and rescue team and dogs will be in attendance and give several demonstrations.
  • Launching of a Weather Balloon
  • Continuous demonstrations showing exactly what causes our weather from Mike Mogil of "How the Weather Works" 
  • Television meteorologists from Omaha and Lincoln will be present to meet the public and answer your weather questions! 
  • Have your photo taken with Carl Parker of the Weather Channel in the exhibit area.
  • Uncover the secrets of building and operating tornado simulators, several live tornado generators will be demonstrated throughout the day
  • Lancaster County Emergency Management will have their response vehicles available to tour
  • A Tornado Video Room will have continuous showings of the "STORMS 2005" and "STORMS 2004" - these DVD-videos include the best storm videos from famous storm chasers and storm researches.
  • Hurricane Katrina information and videos will also be shown.
  • Weather themed face painting for the kids and other hands-on activities for kids.
  • Learn about building a storm "safe room"
    		•

    CPSWS 2006 Sponsors:

    Platinum Sponsorship ($2500 or more):
    Midland Radio
    HyVee Grocery Stores
    .
    Gold Sponsorship ($1000 or more):
    State Farm Insurance
    Lincoln Journal Star Newspaper
    Copper Sponsorship ($250 - $500):
    Walmart
    Bronze Sponsorship ($100 - $250):
    Servicemaster of Lincoln - Disaster Restoration Services
                .....
    CPSWS 2006 Organizers:
    High Plains Regional Climate Center
    School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska
    Lancaster County Office of Emergency Management
    Spotter Training: Lincoln Amateur Radio Club and National Weather Service, Omaha/Valley, NE
                .....
    NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE AN EXHIBITOR CLICK HERE and email the Symposium committee chair

    E-Mail the Symposium Committee Chair


    UNL
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    High Plains Regional Climate Center

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