Outreach

External Talks

The following are examples of external visits we provide to the community. Any group can request a talk.

School Visits

Our meteorologists visit area schools to educate and inform students about weather as a part of a curriculum in school systems. These talks are usually presented in conjunction with weather units during the course of the school year. Our presentations can be geared toward any age group, preferably Grade 2 or higher. A wide range of topics can be addressed. Some of these topics include (but are not limited to):

• Weather basics.
• Weather safety.
• Review of weather events to strike central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.
• Careers in Meteorology.
• Earth’s climate system.

The number of outreach activities that WFO Binghamton is involved with is limitless. Just a few examples: Career Day/Fair/Counseling or Science or Math Fairs/Contests or being a judge, proctor or mentor at science-related activities.

Community observances 

We visit a wide variety of community groups in an effect to educate our neighbors about the weather. Types of organizations we are involved with include Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Sertoma Clubs, Senior Citizen Organizations, etc. Any group is welcome to invite a National Weather Service meteorologist to speak at their next function.

The Skywarn program is an effort to train members of the community to recognize severe weather, and aid the National Weather Service in protecting life and property. We also have programs geared toward any group interested in weather safety, or communities interested in becoming Storm Ready. Popular presentation topics are geared toward communities interested in learning about historically significant weather events which have affected us, such as Hurricane Agnes, the Blizzard of 1993, the tornado outbreaks of 1998, and more recent flood events such as June, 2006 or September, 2011.

To request a speaker, please contact the National Weather Service in Binghamton. 

• Mitchell Gaines via email at mitchell.gaines@noaa.gov or by phone (607)798-6620
• WCM Mark Pellerito at Mark.Pellerito@noaa.gov

Please be include the following information:

• Contact Person
• Telephone Number and email address
• Name of Group or School
• Number and age group expected in the tour
• Best time to call to confirm
• Several possible dates for the visit and/or tour
• Please allow several days for a meteorologist to get back to you.

We will schedule the event as quickly as possible.

*Please Note: Tours may be cancelled, if necessary, because of weather, staffing shortage, or changes to the terror alert threat level. Because of occasional unforeseen circumstances, some tours may need to be cancelled at the last minute. We will make arrangements to re-schedule the tour as soon as possible, or can offer a weather presentation instead.

Office Tours

There are many different groups that have indicated interest in coming to the Forecast Office for tours. Just a few of these include:

• School systems (classes/teachers)
• Scout troops
• Amateur radio groups
• Church organizations
• Senior citizen groups
• Weather spotter groups

Tour Scheduling

• For large groups with over 10 people, we ask that you keep the age limit to 10 years and older.
• For smaller groups, all ages are acceptable and can more easily be accommodated. We recommend that there be at least one adult for every 3 children under the age of 10.
• The best time to request a tour is between the hours of 10:00 am and Noon and after 5:00 pm. Other times may be scheduled if necessary. During the spring and summer months, please try to keep tour requests to the early morning hours.

*Please Note: Tours may be cancelled, if necessary, because of weather, staffing shortage, or changes to the terror alert threat level. Because of occasional unforeseen circumstances, some tours may need to be cancelled at the last minute. We will make arrangements to re-schedule the tour as soon as possible, or can offer a weather presentation instead.

To request a tour, please contact the National Weather Service in Binghamton.

• Mitchell Gaines via email at mitchell.gaines@noaa.gov or by phone (607)770-9531
• Mark Pellerito, Warning Coordination Meteorologist via email Mark.Pellerito@noaa.gov or by phone (607)770-9531 x223

Please be include the following information:

• Contact Person
• Telephone Number and email address
• Name of Group or School
• Number and age group expected in the tour
• Best time to call to confirm
• Several possible dates for the visit and/or tour
• Please allow several days for a meteorologist to get back to you.

We will schedule the event as quickly as possible.

Student Opportunities

The National Weather Service Office in Binghamton offers both summer internship opportunities (unpaid), designed for college students.  In addition, we offer job shadows, designed for those in either middle/high school or college.  Paid opportunities also exist (national programs).  Please read more below to see what is a best fit for you.  If you have any questions, please contact our Student Volunteer Program Leader, Bryan Greenblatt at bryan.greenblatt@noaa.gov.

There is a wide range of career avenues within our organization. These range from physical scientists, meteorologists, hydrologists, information technology, electronic maintenance, and administrative management. For more information and to read about those employed by the National Weather Service, go to https://www.weather.gov/careers/.

For more information on if a career in meteorology is right for you or for career videos and resources, go to https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/education-careers/careers/career-guides-tools/.

Student Volunteer (Unpaid, Summer Internship)

**The application period for Summer 2024 has closed. Please contact Bryan Greenblatt (bryan.greenblatt@noaa.gov) if you have any questions about our Student Volunteer program.**

The National Weather Service at Binghamton, NY Student Volunteer Program is designed for college students majoring in meteorology, atmospheric science, or hydrology. The volunteer is responsible for transportation to the office and other logistics, as this is an in-person program here at the National Weather Service office in Binghamton, NY. The program usually runs from mid to late May through August.

What to expect if you apply:

1. Your application materials will be evaluated by a team of meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Binghamton. 

2.  Several chosen applicants will move on to the interview stage, based on the quality of the application. This is where we want to get to know you better. Expect a  panel of about five meteorologists asking approximately 5-10 total questions in a Google Meet format. 

3. A student or two will then be selected from those interviewed. Those not selected will be promptly notified. 

4. A background check is required to have computer access at our office. This will be in the spring since it takes several weeks for the background check to clear. 

5. Once the background check is complete you will work with the program leader, Bryan Greenblatt, or designee on days that will be worked, start date etc. Student volunteers typically work around 16 to 24 hours per week, though that number is flexible. 

Job Shadow (Unpaid)

High school and college students can visit us for a few hours, a half day or full day. A tour of the facility would be provided followed by interaction with forecasters at our office. Forecasters will demonstrate how a forecast is generated along with other daily duties. Also, a shadow will have the opportunity to discuss career paths and opportunities with a meteorologist. Read on for more details on possible job shadow opportunities:

1. Pre-college students interested in meteorology as a possible career: The student typically spends 1-2 hours with a WFO BGM meteorologist observing the forecast process, and discussing National Weather Service career opportunities.

2. College Freshmen and Sophomores enrolled in a university meteorology, atmospheric science, or hydrology program, or a student in any other math or science program who is considering meteorology/atmospheric science, or hydrology for future study: The student will typically spend 2-4 hours at NWS Binghamton, observing the full range of Weather Forecast Office (WFO) operations. The student will spend time with each of the duty staff members, observing them prepare and disseminate various forecast products. The student will also meet with members of the WFO BGM management team to further discuss future career and study options.

3. College Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate students enrolled in a university meteorology, atmospheric science, or hydrology program will have the opportunity to expand the job shadow up to 2 days at the Weather Forecast Office (WFO). The expanded time is intended to give the student a more comprehensive understanding of what it is like to work at a National Weather Service field office.

Paid Employment/Opportunities For Students (National Programs)

1. The Pathways Program 

This program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. Additional information about the Internship Program can be found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets

2. NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings (Hollings) scholarship program is designed to:

1. Increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities;

2. Increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy;

3. Recruit and prepare students for public service careers with NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at the federal, state and local levels of government; and

4. Recruit and prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and atmospheric science and to improve scientific and environmental education in the United States.

For more information Go to: https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship/prospective for more information on the program.

Also, a link to a video from NOAA Education on the Hollings program. 

3. Other Student Opportunities In NOAA

The Student Opportunities website is designed to provide information about educational opportunities that are available throughout NOAA. Information on scholarships, internships and fellowships including a brief description of each program; application deadline; award amount; dates of opportunity; contact name, telephone number, and e-mail address; and website for the various opportunities are found on this site.​

• Read more about other National Weather Serivce student opportunities here! Also, here.

• For more information on student and full time employment within the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), go to https://www.weather.gov/education/careers.

Local weather observers/spotters are an essential part of the National Weather Service forecast and warning program.

The National Weather Service in Binghamton relies on weather reports from local weather observers/spotters across numerous communities in central New York and northeast Pennsylvania. Our observers/spotters help us gauge how severe a storm is, how much snow or rain has fallen, or how quickly our streams and creeks are rising. In addition, the National Weather Service relies on volunteer weather observers, who on a daily basis, take temperature and precipitation measurements to monitor our climate.

There are three types of volunteer weather observing networks that we use in our region:

1. SKYWARN spotter program is open to all residents of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania who are interested. SKYWARN is a year round program to train the public on how accurately report severe weather to us, ranging from snowfall measurements, to severe weather (hail, wind, tornadoes, flooding). For more information see our SKYWARN section.
2. Rain/Snow Observers, please consider joining the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) national network to collect, display and archive the data provided. For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit either the, New York CoCoRaHS or Pennsylvania CoCoRaH
3. Cooperative Observer Program is the main function of the official climate record keeping of the United States of America, and it is only open in certain areas where we need official observers to supplement gaps in the climate network. The Cooperative Observer Program is a little more involved than the basic volunteer programs, and requires a higher level of training commitment, and dedication.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our current spotters. Your work has helped us to fulfill our mission which is to provide forecasts and warnings to protect the citizens of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.