Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) Brian LaMarre launched the WFO tour with a presentation discussing the role of the National Weather Service with an emphasis on the importance of local relationships in the community and partnerships with local customers and partners of WFO services. A graphic illustrating the Lubbock County Warning Area, superimposed with common counties from within the Congressman’s 19th District, gained special attention when it was noted 58% of the entire 19th District of Texas resided in WFO Lubbock’s service area. The Congressman was interested in the availability of NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards, and the local relationship supporting the public-private partnership.

Following the presentation and group discussions, the Congressman wanted to “walk and talk” with WFO Lubbock staff and spoke with DAPM Johnny Wallace and Forecasters Mark Fox and Bill Hopkins. SOO Steve Cobb provided a one-on-one demonstration of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System to the Congressman with a hands-on simulation of the Graphical Forecast Editor and WarnGen software.

WFO Lubbock was very pleased to have the Congressman visit with us and learn more about the many services we provide his constituents. Following the one-hour visit, Congressman Neugebauer mentioned he now has a “much better idea of the role of the NWS” and was delighted to learn of the “healthy partnership between the WFO and the local media and emergency management”. Before departing the WFO, Congressman Neugebauer expressed a desire to see the staff of WFO Lubbock perform during real-time severe weather operations – a request we will undoubtedly welcome!

SOO Steve Cobb demonstrates WFO Lubbock operations to Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) and District Representative Mary Whistler. In the background, WCM Brian LaMarre provides a review of WFO Lubbock’s new Instant Messaging service for media and emergency management partners to Texas Tech University Intern, Woody Baum. (Photograph by John Lipe, WFO Lubbock Senior Service Hydrologist).