The new Science on a Sphere display in the NWC atrium was a popular attraction at the National Weather Festival.

National Weather Festival draws a crowd

The third annual National Weather Festival was held at the National Weather Center in Norman, OK on Saturday, October 20, 2007. The event provided an opportunity for the community to learn about operational weather activities, current research and to promote interest in weather to people of all ages.

An estimated 2,000 people turned out for the free festival sponsored by the Norman Chamber of Commerce Weather Committee, the University of Oklahoma weather units and the NOAA Weather Partners. Visitors were treated to tours of the National Weather Center, displays by local weather organizations and businesses, weather related seminars, the new Science on a Sphere display, and the second annual Storm Chaser Car Show. Children’s activities, hourly weather balloon launches and an amateur radio demonstration were also part of the agenda. This year’s festival also had an historical emphasis, with information about NOAA’s 200th Anniversary Celebration and Oklahoma’s Centennial.