Meteorology and Storm Chasing
The COD Meteorology Department is one of the more unique programs in the country. It was the first college to offer storm chasing for college credit. Starting in 1989 as a weekend adventure before becoming a 50 day a year full scale college course today. The meteorology department offers classes such as Severe Weather Lab, Mesoscale Meteorology, and Severe and Unusual Weather to help train students to both chase and forecast severe weather events. Meteorology majors from COD have moved on to many universities and beyond to staff such places as the National Weather Service, TV stations, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Severe Storms Laboratory, to name a few.
It is also well known for a very comprehensive weather website used by many in both the severe storms fields as well as other disciplines of meteorology. The website was often seen being used by those on the Discovery Channel's Storm Chaser reality show. NEXLAB is short for "Next Generation Weather Lab", a take off on the Next Generation Weather Radar, or NEXRAD, used by the National Weather Service for its Doppler technology.
The COD Meteorology Dept. is also heavily involved in the community skywarn programs helping to host one of the larger spotter training seminars each March in DuPage County. The training is known as the Advanced Spotter Training for the Multi-County Skywarn of the Chicago Metro area. 12 counties participate through the Dupage Office of Emergency Mgmt, the Chicago National Weather Service, and the College of Dupage Meteorology dept (NEXLAB).
Read more about this topic: College Of DuPage
Famous quotes containing the words storm and/or chasing:
“Many Americans imagine simpler times even as a storm of social change swirls about, blowing parents here and children there. Sure, the 1950s ideal world would be wonderful. But knock on the nation’s doors: Ozzie and Harriet are seldom at home.”
—Leslie Dreyfous (20th century)
“You know lots of criticism is written by characters who are very academic and think it is a sign you are worthless if you make jokes or kid or even clown. I wouldn’t kid Our Lord if he was on the cross. But I would attempt a joke with him if I ran into him chasing the money changers out of the temple.”
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961)