How can the next generation of weather broadcasters get some experience? By starting their own show.

Meteorology students Eric Gose, Elizabeth Frieberg and Chris Meherin started Gator Weather to gain practical experience developing forecasts and delivering "on air" weather updates.

With graphics donated by KPIX-Channel 5 (where Gose is a weather producer) and a green screen, camera and light provided by the College of Science and Engineering's Geosciences Department, the group tapes forecasts weekly and posts the video on the Gator Weather Web site http://www.gatorweather.org. The students meet the challenges of cramming key information into a 30-second sound bite, developing a conversational delivery style, and pointing to locations on a "green screen" that's blank to them, but shows maps and graphics to viewers.

Their voluntary initiative is now recognized for class credit in Geosciences 698/798, "Public Weather Forecasting," with John Monteverdi, professor of meteorology, as adviser and mentor.

Check for weekly weather forecasts -- exams and vacation breaks permitting -- at http://www.gatorweather.org.

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Last modified December 23, 2003, by the Office of Public Affairs