(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Are you an educator in the area? Or perhaps you know of one? Either way, the FOX21 Storm Team would love to come visit your school! The team also really enjoys attending related events such as science fairs and science competitions.
In the photo above, FOX21 Storm Team meteorologist Ryan Matoush shows a classroom of sixth graders a picture of the largest hailstone to fall in Colorado (as of 2024). This particular hailstone fell near the Colorado/Kansas border back in August of 2023. Storm chaser Dan Fitts measured the record breaker at 5.25 inches across.
Each spring, members of the Storm Team are asked to come visit schools or classrooms and present about the weather and our climate. Although spring is the most common time for our meteorologists to be requested, they are also available year round.
Meteorologist Ryan Matoush demonstrates just how large the record breaking hailstone was by comparing the relative size of the hailstone to a DVD. As large as a DVD is, the hailstone that fell back in August of 2023 is still technically bigger!
Content provided varies from each meteorologist that visits but usually severe weather is a common request! Each meteorologist brings their own flare to the presentations; meteorologist Ryan Matoush is particularly passionate about severe weather.
Along with hail, Matoush also covers topics like flooding, tornadoes, lightning and more. In addition, Matoush likes to discuss the role of Colorado’s dry climate and the influence it has on devastating wildfires.
One of the videos that Meteorologist Ryan Matoush likes to show is this timelapse from a grassfire that occurred out near the Colorado Springs airport. Matoush likes to ask the class first what their thoughts are in terms of what they’re looking at and why it might be occurring. More often than not, students have some great intuitive thoughts and are always headed in the right direction.
When Matoush presents, he also tries to save time and show the students the weather balloon he has along with the accompanying radiosonde weather sensing instrument. Matoush specially acquired these from his time back in Topeka, Kansas. Weather balloons are one of the most important tools that meteorologists use every single day. The photo above features one of Matoush’s last days launching weather balloons for the National Weather Service in Boulder, Colorado.
After each presentation, the FOX21 Storm Team does their best to bring the students outside for a chance to look at the Storm Squatch. This part of the experience is usually a big hit and gives the students an opportunity to ask questions about the meteorologist’s work in the field.
If you would like one of the FOX21 Storm Team meteorologists to come out for a school visit, be sure to reach out! They can be reached most directly at [email protected]
