*** Virtual Conference Update - Confirmed Speakers (01/26/2021) ***
The following speakers have been confirmed for the Friday, March 26, 2021 virtual conference:
- Dr. Jeff Trapp, University of Illinois, will discuss QLCS tornadoes.
- James Spann, KBMA-TV in Birmingham, AL, will look back on the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Super Outbreak of tornadoes and discuss what has changed should a similar event happen today.
- Greg Hanson, NWS-Boulder, will discuss the rapid spread of the East Troublesome Fire in Colorado during October 2020.
- Nick Stewart, KGAN-TV, Cedar Rapids, IA, will cover the broadcaster response to the August 10, 2020 Midwest Derecho.
- Nick AbouAssaly, Mayor, Marion, IA, will review derecho impacts in the urban Cedar Rapids metropolitan area.
- Mindy Benson, Tama County Emergency Management, will speak on the derecho impacts in rural Iowa.
- Dr. Patrick Skinner, CIMMS/NSSL, will speak on predictability challenges of the derecho.
- Craig Sash, farm owner and cattleman from Tama County, will discuss the impact of the derecho on agricultural producers.
- A National Weather Service perspective will be provided on the derecho in a talk by personnel from the Des Moines, Quad Cities, and Chicago NWS offices.
- Keith Stammer, Emergency Manager, Joplin, MO, will take a look back at the 2011 Joplin tornado, its impact on the city, and how the city has recovered.
- Chad Crilley, KRCH-TV, Jefferson City, MO, will review the meteorology behind the 2011 Joplin tornado and share his personal story of the tornado.
- Roger Erickson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS-LCH, will discuss Hurricane Laura's impact in southwest Louisiana.
