Weather is more than a subject for small talk. It affects us all. It was also the topic of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University’s latest Spark evening program—Let’s talk about the weather!
Osher at Towson University has offered academic and social opportunities to adults 50+ for over 25 years. However, most of their academic courses and other lecture series are held during the day.
Tracy Jacobs, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, said she began offering the Spark evening program two years ago to engage different age groups and those who might have day jobs.
“Our Spark series brings together community members who enjoy learning for the sake of learning,” said Jacobs. “Tonight, we have a mix of dedicated Osher members, undergraduate students, doctoral candidates, and TU faculty and staff joining us to learn about the impact of weather on our lives.”
Everybody talks about the weather
Presented as part of Maryland’s Severe Storms Awareness Week, the Osher event included presentations from local experts on topics related to weather and an audience Q&A.
Michael J. Allen, Ph.D., climate scientist and associate professor in the Department of Geography & Environmental Planning at Towson University, kicked things off with a presentation on the science behind the weather. He noted how weather has always influenced the everyday lives of people, regardless of age or culture.
Dr. Allen discussed how weather impacts Marylanders, including flooding in Ellicott City, rising sea levels along the Chesapeake Bay, death-causing extreme heat, and hurricane activity.
Rachael Jay, a First Alert Meteorologist for WJZ, discussed her work as an on-air TV meteorologist and how she tackles communicating the weather. She shared how to better understand severe weather outlook categories and ‘x-year’ flood events, like the pair of 1-in-1000 year floods that hit Ellicott City.
Jay asked the audience to not just look at icons on weather apps for an accurate weather forecast. She said that new computer data comes in every few hours and the forecast will probably change. Always re-check the forecast.
Weathering emergency management
Ashley Morris oversees emergency planning and outreach efforts for Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management. She shared what happens after severe weather strikes a community. She is also involved in training and exercise coordination, emergency operations support, and emergency operation center readiness involving situational awareness, weather briefings, and other planning section duties.
Morris shared a few ways community members can help local jurisdictions prepare for weather-related emergencies:
- Become a SKYWARN Severe Storm Spotter: Skywarn training equips volunteers with the skills needed to identify and report severe weather conditions, contributing to improved public safety and enhanced weather warnings.
- Join the CoCoRaHS Network: Sign-up to be a backyard weather observer to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow).
Previous Spark programs covered topics such as Maryland’s haunted history and the importance of improvisation.
Discover more lifelong learning opportunities at Towson University
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University provides learning opportunities to expand knowledge, gain insights into current events, and access social and cultural activities.
The Osher Summer Series starts on May 28 and is open to both Osher members and non-members. The series includes six in-person lectures, taking place at Towson University, and all six online lectures, livestreamed from the Osher at Dartmouth College Summer Lecture Series.
