The
sixth-grade students from Lynne Estey’s science class, at Jordon-Small Middle
School, had the opportunity to learn the ropes of a meteorologist from the WCSH
Channel 6 TV station in Portland. Morning weatherman Todd Gutner spoke to the
crowd of 11 and 12-year-olds about the science behind weather on Thursday,
April 27 in the school’s library.
He
began his talk by stating that, as a morning weatherman he must get up by 2:00
a.m. to be on the air by 6:00 a.m. “In the winter,” Gutner began. “I get up at
1:15 a.m. Winter weather is a little more complicated and takes more time to
prepare for the morning broadcast.”
Gutner
stated that he has a great time being a meteorologist, explaining that often he
and the other co-hosts tell jokes and laugh with one another.
“There
are times, however, when things are serious,” Gutner explained. “Weather can be
a very serious topic because it can be dangerous and affect daily life.”
As
an example, he spoke about the thunderstorms he has covered over the years. Specifically,
a thunderstorm that developed into a tornado warning in the Rangeley/Farmington
area and most of the Carrabassett Valley a couple of years ago.
It
was at this point students got to view a live broadcast of Gutner on air during
that tornado warning. By watching the video, they got a better understanding of
the science behind summer meteorological conditions such as velocity, high air
pressure, low air pressure, the exact definition of a tornado warning and the
difference between a cyclone and a funnel cloud.
The
students also discovered that tornados are labeled into specific categories.
Based upon the Fujita Scale, a scale for rating
tornadoes established upon the amount of damage it has caused, tornadoes are
given between a F1(least amount of damage) to F5 (the most damage.)
“In Maine, there has never been a tornado greater than an
F2,” Gutner said.
Gutner
discussed what to do during a tornado warning to keep safe. His suggestions
included going to the lowest point in the home, staying away from windows and
using pillows and blankets for protection.
 |
| 6th students prepare to be filmed for TV |
Students
were given an opportunity for question and answers. Lightening was one major
topic of discussion, including the occasional “bolt from the blue” lightning.
This occurrence is a lightning bolt that can strike
many miles away from the thunderstorm cloud that produces it and can be
exceptionally dangerous.
The morning talk ended with the 6th grade
class being filmed by Gutner himself in front of “Stormy”, the Channel 6
weather vehicle, for the Friday morning’s broadcast. If you missed last Friday
morning’s weather broadcast, the students got the opportunity to be on air at
6:55 a.m. telling the viewers who they were and what school they were from.
Their on-air limelight ended with the morning shout, “Wake Up!”
