Published: October 21, 2007 12:00 am            

Weather exciting

Transcript Staff Writer

Two-year-old Kyle Del Nero concentrated on the sky Saturday morning as he waited for meteorologists to launch a weather balloon outside the National Weather Center.

Del Nero and weather enthusiasts of all ages turned out Saturday to the facility for the third annual National Weather Festival.

The toddler's mother, Kristin Del Nero, said it's the first year they attended the event.

"He's having such a good time," she said.

Del Nero said after the balloon launched, the next stop would be the storm chaser car show.

"We can't wait to look at the cars," she said.

Keli Tarp, NOAA public affairs specialist, said the Norman Chamber of Commerce's weather committee hosted Saturday's event.

"The purpose is to showcase what we do and to get kids and adults excited about weather," she said.

Tarp said about 3,000 people attended last year's festival, and officials hoped for more this year. Televisions inside the National Weather Center broadcasted the University of Oklahoma v. Iowa State football game for fans who were afraid to miss the game.

Tarp said in addition to hourly balloon launches and storm chaser car show, the festival featured a children's activities center, amateur radio demonstrations, building tours and weather related seminars.

Since his childhood, Norman Kent has found thunderstorms fascinating. Kent and his wife live in Enid, but decided to make a trip to the festival after they saw a television commercial.

"It's the first time we have come down here," he said.

As soon as Kent stepped inside the building, he visited the Oklahoma Mesonet Center's display. Kent said he likes learning about tornadoes.

Outside, spectators gathered in the parking lot where about a dozen vehicles were showcased in the storm chaser car show.

Chris Caldwell of Ponca City put the finishing touches on his newest storm chasing vehicle, a 2005 Ford Expedition, just after midnight Saturday. Caldwell has chased severe weather for KOCO-TV since 2001.

"I've never dreaded doing it," he said.

Caldwell said the Expedition is equipped with a full range of equipment that can measure rainfall, calculate wind speed and record temperatures. All machines automatically update themselves every 2 1/2 seconds.

"If it's out there and can be recorded, it does it," Caldwell said.

He said a laptop computer with wireless internet located in the front passenger seat enables him to transmit information to meteorologists at the television station in Oklahoma City.

The vehicle and its equipment is valued at $55,841, Caldwell said.

Michelle Stoneman and her family stopped by to check out Caldwell's SUV on their way to activities inside the weather center.

"It's neat to be in a state that can have something to offer because of weather and storm chasing," she said.

Stoneman said technology constantly changes and allows meteorologists to better forecast a storm's potential.

"It's amazing," she said.

KFOR-TV meteorologists Jonathan Conder and Grant Johnston brought the station's storm chasing vehicle to the event. Both men also participated in the 11 a.m. weather balloon launch.

Johnston said when severe weather develops, a two-person team is always sent into the field. Along with the storm chasers on the ground, pilot Jim Gardner can use the station's helicopter to track the storm's path.

"It's a coordinated effort," Johnston said.

He said as the team chases the storm, they are able to send video images to the meteorologists at the station thanks to a transmitter atop the crew's Chevrolet Tahoe.

"It's exciting what we can do with the technology available," Johnston said.

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com

        

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