In a first, a woman issues a thunderstorm watch for Storm Prediction Center
Warm, moist air and colder, dry air collided on Wednesday to create the conditions necessary for hail, damaging winds and tornadoes across the Southern Plains and into the Southeast, and it was the job of an elite meteorology group called the Storm Prediction Center to give people advance notice.
For Elizabeth Leitman, who has worked at the Norman, Okla., center since 2010, it would be the day she would issue her first thunderstorm watch. She also would become the first woman ever to do so in the 70- year history of the center and its previous iterations, according to center officials.
Leitman is one of only two women among the 22 full- time forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center. “As far as I know, there’s been five of us,” Leitman said, referring to female forecasters who have worked there.
None of her predecessors, though, reached the role of lead forecaster. On Wednesday, her first day training to become a lead forecaster, she did all the intricate work while someone supervised her every move.
By 1 p. m., Leitman knew conditions were becoming favorable for severe storms. Looking at radar, satellite and observational data, and after talking to colleagues, she drew up her first draft of the watch.
Watches highlight areas where conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes to develop. The Storm Prediction Center’s goal is to offer as much as a two- hour notice before storms form. Around 3: 30 p. m., she led a conference call with other offices responsible for counties within the watch area. After a quick conversation with other forecasters, a few counties were added to the watch. She then hit send.