" It's the last day at the fair!"

Andrea Holz, a Hydrologist at from the National Weather Service
was busy answering questions today!

Due to recent concern over Hurricane Gustav, I decided to visit the National Weather Service booth in the Education Building. I was able to talk with Andrea Holz and Dan Luna,who both work at the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Dan works as the head meteorologist, and Andrea is a hydrologist (a person who forecasts river stages). When asked if they were surprised at the severity of hurricanes in the past few years, Dan said, "It doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is the public interest in hurricanes."

For students interested in pursuing a weather science career, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system offers four-year degrees in meteorology (St. Cloud State University) and environmental sciences (Bemidji State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University Moorhead; St. Cloud State University; Southwest Minnesota State University; and Winona State University).

It also was interesting to speak to Andrea about some of the things we can do as citizens to help the National Weather Service. To gauge the water levels, many people have rain gauges they monitor, which helps the weather center estimate the amount of rainfall throughout the state. Andea also explained that many volunteers work as skywarn spotters, who will call in to the center to report severe activity in their neighborhood. To learn more about weather in your area or about Hurricane Gustav, visit http://www.weather.gov/

I can't believe it's the last day of the fair already! It's been fun visiting with fairgoers as well as meeting guests who have helped out in the booth! I hope that you visit next year, and please visit us year round at www.mnscu.edu.

Rose and Bill Daly pose at the St.Cloud State Alumni booth, which is next to
the Minnesota State Colleges and University booth! Bill Daly graduated
from St.Cloud in 1970 with a degree in Sociology and is a retired after 30
years working as a social worker at the V.A Medical Hospital.

-- Emily