The
Storm Prediction Center
(SPC) is located in Norman, Oklahoma, just south
of Oklahoma City. It is tasked with monitoring and providing
advisories regarding hazardous weather across the United States.
Provided here is an assortment of photos showing a typical shift
at the center.
Note: Budget cuts have recently threatened operations at SPC.
To find out more on this story, click
here.
Late night photo of the Storm Prediction Center, occupying the right side
of the National Severe Storms Laboratory building.
It's 1 in the morning, the start of a graveyard shift. It's during
this time when patterns are quickly shifting and evolving to set the
stage for the next day's weather events. New computer model forecasts
pour in, shedding additional light on what's to come. On the right,
the aviation forecaster analyzes an upper-level chart, while on the
left, the mesoscale forecaster checks a PCGRIDDS model data plot.
On the right is the lead forecaster, putting the finishing touches on
a convective outlook product. To the left is the mesoscale forecaster.
On this night, it happened to be chaser Roger Edwards.
A closer look at the lead forecaster's desk. In the background is the
aviation forecast position, with hand-analyzed upper air charts tiling
the wall in the background. On the right side is the MCIDAS computer
workstation, displaying water vapor satellite photos.