Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Kiwanis get weather report By CAROLYN CARY ccary@TheCitizenNews.com Fayette Metro Kiwanis got a weather report from Lans P. Rothfusz (pronounced Lance ROTE-foos), meteorologist In charge at the National Weather Service in Peachtree City. The Weather Forecast office in Peachtree City is a field office of the National Weather Service, an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA, in turn, is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. The local WFO is responsible for the weather and water forecast and warning services for 96 counties in north and central Georgia. The are 16 degreed meteorologists in Peachtree City, several of whom have advanced degrees in the subject. "We are fortunate," said Rothfusz, "to be assisted by many volunteers. During several weather, amateur radio ham operators take up position in the WFO and communicate with NWS-trained spotters watching storms in the field. "Also, a network of over 100 'cooperative observers' dutifully record weather data each day and then send us the data. These volunteers are crucial to the success of the Peachtree City WFO forecast and warning program," he added.   What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to the News Home Page| Back to the top of the page