Join Wilderness Road State Park interpreter Olivia Marcum on Saturday, August 6 at 1 pm, as she discusses her favorite subject; the weather, and its effect on the Earth.
Weather is obviously something that occurs every day and the impact on our lives are felt in so many different ways. It is important to understand the different characteristics of our weather, be it a bright sunny day or a powerful hurricane, because in the end it may save your life.
The program, for adults and kids alike, will include weather experiments that are easy to perform and offer participants a unique understanding of some of nature’s most intense natural phenomena. Some examples are; a tornado in a bottle, making a cloud, and learning how to make your own rain gauge; all ways of creating weather right in your own hands. This is something for both kids and adults alike. It is one way to bring weather right into your own hands.” Marcum explains.
The program will also feature a graphic PowerPoint presentation and hands-on demonstrations, to help explain how to identify clouds, their makeup and how their appearance can help us predict significant weather events. It will contain vivid images of different clouds that can be observed all throughout the year. Having an understanding of these various cloud formations can help us predict the weather. “Simply stated, we plan to show you the characteristics of each type of cloud, its structure, and what type of weather it is associated with. Clouds are something we see almost every day, but we very rarely stop to think how important they are and the story they can tell about future weather conditions”.
Growing up in Oklahoma, Marcum was exposed to extreme weather living near the heart of tornado alley. “There were many nights we spent in a storm cellar or a bathtub because of the threat of severe weather. Understanding how weather works and being able to read radar images can give us just enough knowledge to provide a safer environment for you and your family” she explains.
Even though tornadoes are not common for southwest Virginia, it is important to understand them and what to do in the event of a tornado. “The more knowledge we have about these powerful storms the easier it becomes to keep yourself and your family safe,” states Marcum. Informative tornado videos will be shown as part of the presentation to help give a better picture of the powerful force that is Mother Nature’s fury.
This program is free of charge, but parking rates do apply. Registration is encouraged but not required. For more information, or to register, please call 276-445-3065 or email us at [email protected].
LOCATION:At the intersection of Routes 58 (Wilderness Road) and 923 (Martin's Station Trail), five miles west of Ewing, Va., and 10 miles east of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Middlesboro, Ky.
Drive Time:Northern Virginia, 10 hours; Richmond, eight hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 11 hours; Roanoke, five hours.
Wilderness Road State Park, Route 2, Box 115, Ewing, Va. 24248; Phone: (276) 445-3065; emailwildernessroad. Learn more about park offerings by calling1-800-933-PARKor emailresvs