Minutes from the Autumn 2003 Meeting of the Wichita AMS/NWA

Autumn 2003 Meeting of Wichita AMS/NWA
Thursday, October 23, 2003 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Where: Kansas Room of the Farm Credit Building

MEETING SUMMARY
Prior to the formal meeting, approx. 20 members met at the River city Brewery Co. in downtown Wichita. Dinner and drinks were
served and there was much conversation. The harvester wheat lager was excellent and according to Dr. Brooks, "The buffalo burger
was the best I've had in a while."

After dinner the group met at the Farm Credit Building in the Kansas Room. Pete Wolf, president presided over.

OLD BUSINESS

• We would still like to create a career symposium type day with one on one shadowing for students interested in Earth
  Sciences/weather. This item is alive and open.
• Peter Wolf also proposed that we host a severe weather/weather conference in Wichita sponsored by the local chapter.
  Several members volunteered to be a part of hosting and planning committees. We have had 2 planning meetings
  and will have a third in Nov. The conference is planned for 2005. This item is alive and open.
• Treasurer's report: $520. He would like to remind everyone that if they feel that this group provides something of
  value to them...then by all means please do not forget to pay your annual dues of 10 dollars/5 dollars for students.

NEW BUSINESS
Chad Omitt suggested the idea of having someone from the group present a brief 10-15 min. weather/seasonal briefing at the
beginning of the formal meeting. This will begin with the Winter meeting in Jan 2004.

Dr. Harold Brooks presented "Severe Weather Climatology Worldwide" His presentation was extremely informative and enlightening.
He showed images of what appeared to be a supercell tornado at 63N lat in Finland! His presentation summarized geographical areas
of the world that tend to have atmospheres that can support severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. He also described why Europe
tends not to have more severe weather (Sahara) and he explained that "Kansas tends to be more unstable more often than anywhere
else on the planet"

After the presentation everyone ate Krispy Kreme Doughnuts courtesy of the AMS and enjoyed beverages courtesy of WeatherData Inc.

No pictures due to devastating technical problems