National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

⛅❄️ "Unleash Your Inner Meteorologist!" 🌈🌪

Ever wonder how weather forecasts are made? How severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings are issued? And just how that "golf ball" on the bluff detects storms, allowing us to issue those warnings? Learn the answers, and MUCH more, at our NWS La Crosse Open House on Saturday, September 7th from 11am to 4pm! This is a FREE event!!!

Meet the crew of NWS La Crosse -- a dedicated bunch who work around the clock to provide critical and sometimes life-saving weather information when you need it.

Many other NWS partnering agencies and groups will also be on-hand to showcase their cool equipment and what their jobs entail. Check out the "Who Else Will Be Here" tab below for details!

WAFER Food Pantry will be here to accept non-perishable food items to help our community! Your voluntary donations will be greatly appreciated!

*No smoking, drugs, alcohol, or weapons allowed on the premises. No pets except for trained service animals. No bags or backpacks allowed inside the facility.

National Weather Service La Crosse
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, September 7th
11am to 4pm
* F R E E *
nws lacrosse


Countdown to the Open House:  

In short:

Drive into La Crosse and take Losey Blvd to Main Street, then turn onto Main Street toward the bluff. This road becomes Bliss Road and winds up toward Grandad Bluff. At the top of Bliss, you will see the Alpine Inn -- follow the road to the left onto County Rd F (turning right at the Alpine Inn will take you to Grandad Bluff Outlook - well worth a visit for some breathtaking views!). Drive about 1/4 mile and take the first left turn onto County Rd FA, then continue about a mile to the NWS La Crosse office. Can't miss us!

 


National Weather Service
N2788 County Rd FA
La Crosse, WI 54601

nws lacrosse

 

 

Where to park:

The City of La Crosse is graciously allowing us to use the Hixon Trails parking lot next to our facility with additional grass parking across the road. Our driveway entrance will be reserved as a drop off area with accessible parking available along the road right in front of our office. Please note our office parking lot will be closed for the event.

 

overhead view of the NWS la Crosse and parking areas

 

Below is just a small sampling of planned Open House activities!
  • Tour our office (last one at 3:40pm) - see how forecasts are made and a demonstration of how we issue severe thunderstorm & tornado warnings
  • Hands-on activities, demonstrations, and games for kids
  • Emergency vehicle displays
  • Browse other agency booths - see their cool equipment and learn what they do (see "Who Else Will Be Here" tab for details)
  • Raffles
  • Meet your local NWS meteorologists and ask your weather questions
  • Voluntary food donation collection for WAFER Food Pantry of La Crosse
  • ...and more!!!
Glimpses from Our Last Open House in 2016
open house 2019 open house 2019 open house 2019 Open House 2019
Organization Planned Activities (subject to change)  
La Crosse County Sheriff and Emergency Management Check out a squad car. Demonstrate drone capabilities (subject to weather). squad card
La Crosse Fire Department A crew from the local fire department will be on hand to answer all your questions. Hope to have a "safety simulator" to demonstrate. safety simulator
La Crosse County Highway Department Want to see one of those big snow plows up close? This is your chance! snow plow
Olmsted County Sheriff and Emergency Management Tour the Rochester/Olmsted County incident command vehicle "EM-50". em 50 vehicle
American Red Cross Personnel will share information about Red Cross services and the support that are offered, specifically during disasters. red cross
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources WI DNR personnel will discuss their work to preserve and enhance the natural resources of WI. Tour a "heavy unit" (tractor plow and Type 4 fire engine) used to fight wildfires. heavy unit vehicles
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Members of the USFWS will be on site to answer questions. Learn about streams and rivers with their "hands-on" stream table model.
Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Association Local amateur radio operators will be on site to answer questions and demonstrate equipment. Tour their e-comms bus.

An open house like this is a HUGE endeavor requiring many months of planning and many dedicated people to make it a success. We hope everyone's efforts will enrich the day and provide a fun learning experience for all who attend! We express our sincere thanks to the organizations below for their generous donations and time.

Also, a special thank you to the crew from WAFER Food Pantry for being onsite to collect food donations and for all their good work in our community! 

WAFER food pantry
 
midland radio cabin coffee
 
kwik trip