Take a Tour of the National Weather Center

If you happen to be in Norman, Oklahoma, you have the chance to take a fun and educational tour of the National Weather Center! Tours are offered to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. (Group tours are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are almost twice as long as the public tours.) Each tour will lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes visits to the School of Meteorology, the observation deck, classroom and laboratory facilities. In addition, you will get to see NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center, the Norman National Weather Service Forecast Office, and the National Severe Storms Laboratory. Reservations must be made in advance by contacting the Professional Staff Office at tours@nwc.ou.edu or call 405-325-1147.

Teachers and school groups can also take a field trip to the National Weather Center. Included is a presentation and video about the science conducted at the National Severe Storms Lab along with a visit to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center and Norman National Weather Service Forecast Office. To schedule a school tour, contact Daphne Thompson at Daphne.Thompson@noaa.gov or by phone at 405-325-6892. Directions to the National Weather Center are available via Google Maps.

About the National Weather Center

The National Weather Center was completed in 2006 and is one of the largest weather research facilities of its kind. With 244,000 square feet, the building houses some of the most state-of-the-art weather equipment available today. With hundreds of students, faculty members, engineers, and researchers calling the building home, it is no wonder weather enthusiasts the world over flock to this location. In fact, every year, the center is now holds a National Weather Festival and features a Storm Chaser Car Show. You can see a gallery view of the 2007 National Weather Festival here.

Once you are done with your tour, try a great meal at the Flying Cow Cafe. And, as always, if you have the chance to visit the NWC and would like to send your feedback, go to the weather message boards or drop me an email.