The nation's premier severe weather experts will discuss their latest research findings and forecasting techniques during the second annual National Severe Weather Workshop March 1 and 2, 2002, at the National Center for Employee Development Marriott Conference Center in Norman, Okla.

The workshop is designed for emergency managers, broadcast meteorologists, storm spotters and other weather enthusiasts. The event is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service, Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Meteorological Society/National Weather Association and the Oklahoma Emergency Managers Association.

In its first year, the workshop was an overwhelming success, attracting more than 200 attendees from 20 different states. During the 2002 workshop, severe weather experts from across the nation will present the latest techniques for severe weather preparedness and response. Speakers will include NOAA Weather Service leadership, broadcast meteorologists and emergency managers, as well as forecasters and researchers from NOAA Weather Service offices and the NOAA Weather Partners in Norman, including the Storm Prediction Center, NOAA Weather Service Norman Forecast Office, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Radar Operations Center and Warning Decision Training Branch.

"This is a unique national event where emergency managers, broadcast meteorologists, researchers and forecasters from around the country will get together to discuss how they can better protect the lives of American citizens," said Joseph Schaefer, director of the Storm Prediction Center.

Sponsor and vendor opportunities are available for businesses to promote their products or services during the event.

More information about the workshop is available online at: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/nsww2002 or by calling (405) 579-0771.