A Visit To The NHC

[capecodder]

When Lou of "Lou's Weather Watch", got invited to the NHC last Saturday, he in turn, invited me.

Just to see the concrete building with all it's antennae and satellite dishes is very imposing.

The inside of the "fortress" is a building within a building. I have no doubt that it can survive a Cat 5.

We saw the recon room where all the recon plane's information is ingested, digested, and printed out
and handed to the hurricane specialist.Of interest was a Mexican AF liason because the recon plane was flying over Mexico's air space. The hurricane specialist Saturday was Stacy Stewart.

We also viewed the media room(s). When things get busy there, there's a big demand for live-shots. They also have a "regular" TV studio.

By far the most impressive area was the area where every imaginable
computer screen was. Whether it was WV loops, or screens with the twenty models they view, it was all there. Since it was a weekend and "only" four tropical systems going, there were three or four mets working, besides Stacy Stewart. He was extremely helpful, and very personable.

I felt like a little kid in a big toy store. What a place!

[Rainband]

Cool ..that must have been a blast!!

[ColdFront77]

Thank you for your story, Richard.

Have you ever met Lou of "Lou's Weather Watch" before? I am glad you enjoyed your time at the National Hurricane Center.

[capecodder]

Yes, I have met him before. We became correspondents on another wx board several years ago. I used to ask him questions, and he'd always answer.
His site has attracted a lot of attention from people who are in harm's way, (like the off-shore oil rigs) and find the government site too busy.

My visit to the NHC will always be remembered; especially meeting and watching Stacy Stewart in action.

[Stormsfury]

Yes, I have met him before. We became correspondents on another wx board several years ago. I used to ask him questions, and he'd always answer.
His site has attracted a lot of attention from people who are in harm's way, (like the off-shore oil rigs) and find the government site too busy.

My visit to the NHC will always be remembered; especially meeting and watching Stacy Stewart in action.

Dude, congratulations.

You got a chance that many of us will never get and that's to visit the NHC/TPC and get a glimpse behind the scenes and see what goes on there. Someday I'd like to be able to have that same opportunity.

SF

[Derek Ortt]

I've been there twice. It is MUCH less personal there than it is at HRD.

[Josephine96]

Hope you had fun at the NHC

[john186292]

I bet those antennae and sat dishes blow off in a cat two. Then they will be crippled. Not to mention after lightning blows out the failsafe fuses to the failsafe backup generators.
Like the multimillion dollar failsafe generators at that airport, when lightning hit.

Run to maryland is better idea.

Move it all to Colorado is the minimum proposal of any sane observer.
LOL.
John New Orleans

[ColdFront77]

Yes, I have met him before. We became correspondents on another wx board several years ago. I used to ask him questions, and he'd always answer.
His site has attracted a lot of attention from people who are in harm's way, (like the off-shore oil rigs) and find the government site too busy.

My visit to the NHC will always be remembered; especially meeting and watching Stacy Stewart in action.

Wonderful, Richard. That was very nice of Lou to invite you and have you accompany him to the National Hurricane Center.

[opera ghost]

I bet those antennae and sat dishes blow off in a cat two. Then they will be crippled. Not to mention after lightning blows out the failsafe fuses to the failsafe backup generators.
Like the multimillion dollar failsafe generators at that airport, when lightning hit.

Run to maryland is better idea.

Move it all to Colorado is the minimum proposal of any sane observer.
LOL.
John New Orleans

Dude.... Don't you think these guys might *just* possibly know what they're doing? I mean seriously- if the NHC doens't know what to expect form a hurricane- who would? I'm sure they're jsut fine and cozy in thier nice little building- and that they have emergency measures that are perfectly capable fo dealing with a hurricane.

As for the origional post

COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I could see it *grins*

[Derek Ortt]

I've been there twice. That building is in no danger of collapse

[ChaserUK]

I have been lucky enough to visit the NSSL in Norman, OK City. I would have liked to get in there and view the computers and systems in more detail but I was limited to viewing those guys through a glass screen!! I don't know how those guys do there job with weather nuts like me peering through at them!!! A real eye opener however and very educational indeed.