This website serves as a link site to other weather resources on the web and now, video, press releases and reports on severe weather in the Triangle & beyond. Thanks for visiting!
The StormStudy truck will always post any severe weather watches and warnings as they are issued by the National Weather Service. If you see a watch on the StormStudy truck, tune to NOAA weather radio or local radio for more information. If it's a warning, it means severe weather is imminent in the area and you need to be prepared to take appropriate actions to save your life and property. Be sure to check the sponsor page to see who's helping us get the job done! Please let us know what you think about the truck and the daily messages. You can send us email at info@stormstudy.com. We want all your comments on this service! The StormStudy Truck The heart of the project for the past two years has been the StormStudy Truck. It's a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 packed with gear! The main data gathering is done with the Davis Wireless VantagePro weather station that's mounted on the roof. On the StormStudy truck's roof, you'll also see the Whelen Edge lightbar with the integrated Smart Arrow Messenger. This messenger is normally used to display a scrolling message with forecast and educational and safety related weather messages. During watches and warnings the message board displays the latest on the severe weather threats. Also during hurricane season, Tropical Weather Advisories are posted on the board. Software allows instant updates of the message to suit any situation. The lightbar is also equipped with area lighting on the front and sides for nighttime scene illumination, plus a full array of strobe lights for attention getting purposes. There are also strobes in the headlights and taillights. The truck also has rear floodlights for scene illumination during data gathering and emergency situations.
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Clicking one of these images will open the fullsize photo. |
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The exterior shows the Davis Wireless WeatherMonitor II in Nebraska and the new Vantage Pro weather station in the middle shot. The Whelen Edge lightbar with the Smart Arrow Messenger is on the roof under the floodlights. The interior shot shows the Garmin GPS III Plus, the ham radio, the controls for the message board and lightbar, the weather alert radio, scanner, Wireless WeatherMonitor II console, TV, digital camcorder and the cellphone. The laptop plays a very important role in running the truck. It is used to program the messenger. Also, with the Verizon Wireless Mobile IP Packet Data Services wireless modem, it is connected to the internet to download radar imagery, forecast and warning data. Another function is navigation and of course to send and recieve email on the road. There's also a 500 watt inverter under the seat for running devices that require house current. A Compaq inkjet printer sits on the backseat for printing weather statemtents, watches and warnings. The New StormStudy Mobile WeatherCenter In September of 2000, Musten Communications donated the trailer that has become the Mobile WeatherCenter. This vehicle is a mobile classroom and weather station with an incredible audio and video presentation system, onboard lightning detection, Verizon Wireless internet, Davis Wireless WeatherMonitor II weather station, Hughes DirectTV systems and much more. Details and photos will be on this site soon. This vehicle is available to provide severe weather education and weather support for public groups and events. To inquire about availablity for an event, just drop us a line. |
StormStudy is a privately funded project with the goal of providing constant public awareness of severe weather threats to the people of central North Carolina including threats from Tropical Weather that may come inland. We also help gather weather data for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh that's helpful in forecasting and verifying severe weather, through our affiliation with