Meteorologist Ben Pine from WHAS11 on our Weather Simulator

Ben Pine, chief meteorologist at WHAS in Louisville, became the 5th local TV meteorologist to try out the Broadcast Media Warning Simulation at the National Weather Service in Louisville. The simulation is designed to give area meteorologists a firsthand experience of what it is like to be responsible for issuing life-saving warnings as the radar forecaster. After each significant weather event in our area, we archive the data so that we can train on that event later.

After a quick briefing setting up the event and showing the software we use to issue a warning, Ben was on his own to issue warnings for severe thunderstorms and/or tornadoes. The simulation included receiving reports from the public and our trained spotters in real time, just as we did on the day of the event. It also included our interaction with our TV meteorologists and Emergency Managers via our internal chat room. Communication between the NWS, broadcast meteorologists, hazard mitigation officials, and first responders is critical during severe weather.

In the photographs below, Mr. Pine is monitoring the radar and issuing warnings on the WES, our Weather Event Simulator.

We look forward to many more of our TV friends from Lexington, Bowling Green, Evansville, and Louisville taking advantage of this exciting opportunity!