Ball State University Co-Hosts Central Indiana Severe Weather Symposium, Oct. 19

Topics: College of Sciences and Humanities, Muncie, Student Activities

October 15, 2024

Ball State University will host the Central Indiana Severe Weather Symposium from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the University's Pruis Hall. This marks the first time the symposium will be held on a college campus.

The event is expected to draw more than 200 attendees, including weather professionals, first responders, emergency management personnel, weather spotters, chasers, and enthusiasts. All participants must register online by Friday, Oct. 18. The registration fee is $30 per person or $15 for students. Ball State students can attend for free, but still must register by the Oct. 18 deadline. Proceeds will benefit the Ball State chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS).

Ball State's Department of Geography and Meteorology, along with the College of Sciences and Humanities, is co-hosting the symposium in partnership with the Indiana Chapter of AMS.

"We are honored to be the first university to have the Central Indiana Severe Weather Symposium on its campus," said Dr. Petra Zimmermann, chair of the Department of Geography and Meteorology. "There will be plenty of learning opportunities for students, faculty, community members, professionals in the field, and anyone fascinated by the weather."

The symposium will feature six sessions covering the past, present, and future of weather forecasting. Topics include two local case studies, a student poster session, a review of the 1974 Super Outbreak, and a panel discussion. The sessions will also address the 2024 Winchester, Ind., tornado and future developments in the National Weather Service (NWS). Experts from the NWS in Indianapolis will lead the sessions.

Parking Information: All symposium attendees can access the New York and McKinley parking garages for free.