OES Field Projects: Meterology

Meteorology is about so much more than the person who tells you the weather on the news every day. From weather reporting to storm chasing, to climate mapping to climate change, meteorology encompasses a wide variety of issues relating to the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena. The meteorologists here at Florida Tech are very passionate and it’s easy to tell that they love what they do — and the students are no exception.

This year’s graduating meteorology students are clearly in love with the weather — they are known for their heated discussions of weather phenomena and for taking “storm breaks” during their study sessions over the summer. One of these seniors is Genevieve Scott.

Here’s how the interview between Scott and I went.

What was your project about?

I set out to determine whether the temperature difference across gust fronts influences the strength of the gust front.
(Side note: For those of you who are about as meteorologically inclined as I am, a gust front, according to WeatherQuestions.com, is “the leading edge of cool air rushing down and out from a thunderstorm.” I put a picture down below to help explain.…)

What was your favorite part of Field Projects?

I really enjoyed being outdoors and learning how to actually conduct in-the-field research. I also got to go snorkeling in the Keys and hang out on the beach every Friday to do beach profiles, so that was pretty fun.

What did you learn from Field Projects?

I learned how to accurately measure gust fronts and the depth of the front as well as that prevailing winds need to be taken into account. I got some really good hands-on experience and I learned how to deal with unexpected issues when they came up.

What are your plans for after graduation?

Well, I’m getting married in October and I’m currently applying for NOAA Corps, which is a uniformed officer branch of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) that conducts atmospheric and oceanic research out at sea.

I’ve known you for a few years now, and I know you have a few very different, varying interests outside of meteorology. So, what else do you geek out over besides the weather?

Civil war history. I love history in general, but I especially love Civil War history. It was something my dad really likes too, so I could connect with him over it. Besides, most history books have it wrong anyways. (Sidenote: Genny is from Georgia.)

2014 DMES Meteorology Field Projects:
Joey Militti: Daily Wind Accelerations in Mountain Valleys of Western Montana
Joffrey Muceli: Modulation of Chlorophyll Content Over the Tropical Pacific During El Niño Modoki
Nichole Pallan: Comparison of a Thunderstorm Peak Wind Gust Technique with Reported Values
Genevieve Scott: Comparison of Temperature Differences Across Thunderstorm Gust Fronts with Measured Wind Gusts Behind the Fronts
Andrew Shipotofsky: Estimation of Sensible Heat Loss Over the Tropical Oceans