PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — There’s a well-known saying in Maine – If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes. For those interested in better understanding what the next few minutes will bring, a course offered at Northern Maine Community College in the upcoming semester will help.
Introduction to meteorology, a field course in weather observation, will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9 and 10:20 a.m., beginning Jan. 16 and running through May 17. The course will be taught by Ted Shapiro, chief meteorologist at WAGM-TV in Presque Isle.
“I’m aiming for students to gain the ability to interpret weather ‘clues’ and construct short-range weather forecasts for personal use. I would also like to see students pass along their new-found weather smarts to young people … perhaps bringing them along for the gathering of data for the weather journals students will be keeping as part of the class,” said Shapiro.
Through the course, students will be provided with a basic understanding of weather phenomena and how weather is predicted. Time will be spent mastering the terminology of weather prediction, exploring the water cycle and how the sun affects the weather.
Other areas covered will include atmospheric circulation, cloud formation and identification, as well as how to make weather assumptions based on observations of temperature, pressure, humidity, wind direction and sky cover.
“Many of the ‘clues’ needed for short-term weather forecasting are right there in front of us. Anyone can be ‘weatherwise’ just by knowing how to read the signs,” said Shapiro. “In this course we will learn about basic weather systems. Emphasis will be placed on the weather we get in Maine.”
Shapiro recently assumed the position of chief meteorologist at WAGM. Prior to relocating to Central Aroostook, he worked as a broadcast meteorologist in the Bangor market.
He holds the Broadcasting Seal of Approval from both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. Shapiro is no stranger to teaching in a college classroom. He had taught at Husson College in Bangor since 2000.
“I am fascinated by the ever-changing palette of the sky. I love to share the readily available clues that Mother Nature provides about how the weather will play out over the next day or two,” said Shapiro.
For more information on the introduction to meteorology course at NMCC or to register, contact the Registrar’s Office at 768-2787.
