About this Event
A Conversation About Weather Forecasting, Uncertainty, and Severe Storms
Join the Houston Chronicle meteorologist for Can We Actually Trust the Weather Forecast?, an engaging exploration of how weather forecasts are made, why they can change, and what it takes to predict dangerous weather. Together we'll unpack the role of radar and computer models, explore how meteorologists communicate uncertainty, and discover what it really takes to track and measure severe storms.
What We'll Cover:
- How forecasts are made - Go behind the scenes of weather prediction, from radar and computer models to the final forecast.
- Why forecasts sometimes seem wrong - Explore what probabilities, timing, and location really mean, and why predicting exactly where a storm will hit can be so challenging.
- How we measure dangerous weather - Discover how meteorologists assess severe storms and what weather alerts and measurements can tell us about potential threats.
Weather you're fascinated by Houston's unpredictable weather or curious about how meteorologists do their jobs, you'll leave with a better understanding of what forecasts can tell us, what they can't promise, and how to make more sense of the weather the next time conditions take a turn.
Don't miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.
About The Speaker:
From forecasting blizzards and corn sweat in the Midwest (you heard that right) to explaining the “dirty side” of a landfalling hurricane, Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard has built a reputation for sassy weather videos on social media during the three years he and his husband have called Houston home. A Certified Digital Meteorologist through the American Meteorological Society, he helps Houstonians who are, like him, chronically online make sense of the weather that affects their daily lives. When he isn’t forecasting the next “big weather thing,” he’s probably at home loving on his two fur children, Cinnamon and Peppermint and he has lots of photos of them if you want to stick around after this to see them.
Good to know before you come:
• Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled
• The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward
• This is a participatory event
Agenda
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Doors Open & Drinks Flow
Info: Arrive early to grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the atmosphere. Early birds get the best seats and a head start on mingling!
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Guided Experience / Talk
Info: Dive into an engaging, interactive session with our speaker. Participate, observe, or simply soak it all in - it's your experience to enjoy.
🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Social Time & Connection
Info: Stick around to chat with fellow attendees, swap ideas, or just relax with a drink. Great conversations often happen after the main event!
Event venue & nearby stays
Patterson Park Patio Bar, 2205 Patterson Street, Houston, United States
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