National Weather Service Tulsa, Oklahoma facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | Meteorological |
| Headquarters | 10159 E. 11th St. Suite 300, Tulsa, OK 36°08′56″N 95°51′43″W / 36.149°N 95.862°W |
| Employees | 27 |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | National Weather Service |
Have you ever wondered who tells us about the weather? The National Weather Service - Tulsa, Oklahoma (TSA) is like a superhero team for weather! They watch over 7 counties in northwestern Arkansas and 25 counties in eastern Oklahoma.
Their main job is to forecast weather, issue warnings for storms, and share important weather information. They also help pilots with aviation weather and broadcast weather news on NOAA Weather Radio.
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What the Tulsa Weather Office Does
The Tulsa weather office is always busy keeping an eye on the sky. They are responsible for creating daily weather forecasts. This includes predicting sunshine, rain, snow, and temperatures.
They also issue special warnings when dangerous weather is expected. This could be for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, or floods. Their goal is to keep everyone in their area safe and informed.
Important Weather Tools
The team in Tulsa uses some amazing technology to do their job. One key tool is a powerful radar system called WSR-88D (also known as NEXRAD). This radar helps them see where rain and storms are happening. It can even detect if a storm might produce a tornado.
They also use a special computer system called Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). This system collects all the weather data. It helps meteorologists analyze information quickly and make accurate forecasts.
The office operates two Doppler weather radars. One is located in Tulsa (INX), and the other is in Fort Smith, Arkansas (SRX). Having two radars helps them get a better picture of the weather across their large service area.
Keeping You Safe
The Tulsa weather office plays a big role in public safety. They send out weather forecasts and warnings to local news stations. They also broadcast important weather messages on NOAA Weather Radio. This radio service provides continuous weather information directly to your home.
Their work helps people prepare for bad weather. This can include knowing when to seek shelter during a storm. It also helps communities plan for things like snow removal or flood protection.
Who's in Charge?
The main leader of the Tulsa weather office is called the Meteorologist-In-Charge (MIC). Currently, Steve Piltz is the MIC for this office. He leads a team of 27 employees. These employees are all dedicated to understanding and predicting the weather.
