Open House at NOAA Center in College Park, Maryland Sept. 16

The NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction will host an open house on Saturday, Sept. 16, at its College Park, Maryland, campus. The public is invited to tour the facility and meet NOAA research scientists and meteorologists to explore how they forecast and monitor the weather across the country, use satellite data, track atmospheric dispersion of airborne material, and model air quality.

Watch global weather and climate systems come to life on NOAA’s newest Science on a Sphere®, a 3D educational tool. Sphere presenters will use satellite data and other datasets to explore swirling hurricanes, atmospheric rivers, clouds, ocean currents and global climate patterns such as El Nino.

WHAT:  Open House, Science on a Sphere ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m.

WHEN:  Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE: NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction  
              5830 University Research Court
              College Park, MD 20740

Admission is free, and government-issued photo I.D. is required for entry. Free parking is available, and a free University of Maryland shuttle bus service is available every 15 mins from the College Park Metro station. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from your favorite food trucks.

MEDIA RSVP: Reporters must register to attend by emailing maureen.oleary@noaa.gov.

ACTIVITIES / VISUALS:

• Watch a weather balloon launch

• Learn the ABC’s of weather forecasting

• Hear stories from a hurricane hunter pilot and a NOAA Corps officer

• See how scientists measure and model pollutants in the atmosphere

• View live microorganisms from the Chesapeake Bay

• Meet a forecaster on the National Forecast Operations Desk

• Learn about NOAA’s exciting science and service to America

This is the center’s first open house since opening the building five years ago. This open house supports NOAA's efforts to build a Weather-Ready Nation, one that is ready, responsive and resilient to extreme weather, water and climate events. For the schedule and more information about the open house, visit: http://www.ncep.noaa.gov/openhouse/