Thunderstorms - One of the topics in JetStream

The Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) has selected the National Weather Service Southern Region's JetStream online weather school for inclusion in its online database. Funded by the National Science Foundation, DLESE is a collaborative effort to provide support and leadership in addressing the national agenda for science education, scientific literacy and scientific discovery. It serves a broad audience of scientists, educators and learners working together to improve the quality and efficiency of teaching and learning about the Earth system at all levels.

DLESE resources include electronic materials for scientists, teachers and learners, such as lesson plans, maps, images, data sets, visualizations, assessment activities, curriculum and online courses. It is being designed, built, and governed by community members from around the country. Many of these resources are organized in collections, or groups of related resources, that reflect a coherent, focused theme. In many ways, digital collections are analogous to collections in traditional libraries.

All resources in the library have been contributed by community members, are relevant to Earth system education and are checked frequently for technical stability. To learn more about DLESE, visit: http://www.dlese.org/dds/index.jsp.

JetStream was designed to provide comprehensive, easy to use online weather information to families, educators, emergency managers or anyone interested in learning more about the atmosphere and how it works. It also helps people better understand how to protect themselves and their loved ones when hazardous weather threatens.

The information is illustrated and arranged by subject; beginning with global and large scale weather patterns followed by lessons on air masses, wind patterns, cloud formations, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, tropical storms, cyclones and flooding. The lessons also include current organization, career opportunities, links to universities with atmospheric science programs and a segment covering the NWS's proud 136 year history.

Visitors may access the entire package or select from self contained modules. Safety rules are also included to illustrate what to do and what not to do during thunderstorms, lightning strikes, tornadoes, hailstorms and other hazardous weather events. To learn more about JetStream, visit: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream.