WFO Fort Worth Senior Forecaster Eric Martello (right, gray shirt) summarizes the forecast process for visitors to Partners Expo.

(Sept. 21, 2005) - A Partners Expo, hosted by the NWS Weather Forecast Office in Fort Worth and the co-located West Gulf River Forecast Center, proved timely for visitors to the facility. As Hurricane Rita was making its way toward the Texas Coast, approximately 120 emergency managers, spotter group leaders, members of the media, and congressional staff were on hand for the event.

The WFO and WGRFC staff provided tours of both operations areas and demonstrations of their forecast and warning technology. New technology, including the thunderstorm forecasting tool and the total lightning mapping system, were featured during the tours. Members of the North Texas Skywarn Team were also present to discuss the role of amateur radio and to demonstrate their equipment. The staff presented hourly seminars discussing WFO services, the duties and responsibilities of the RFC, and outreach initiatives for 2006.

Timing of the Expo was fortuitous, as Hurricane Rita was just over two days away from landfall. The staffs answered numerous questions about Rita's forecast track and potential impacts on north Texas. The Expo provided an additional opportunity to explain the new inland tropical cyclone products the WFO would issue.

Warning Coordination meteorologist Gary Woodall said, "The attendees clearly enjoyed their visit and came away with a better understanding of the people and operations which are behind the products and services we provide."