Weather Research Center
THE WEATHER MUSEUM
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The Weather Museum is being developed to stimulate interest in the scientific fields of meteorology and oceanography, to provide a facility for people of all ages to learn about the weather, obtain weather safety information, and to look into the past at how weather was observed. The Weather Museum is a project of Weather Research Center, the Houston, Texas based non-profit educational and research organization founded in 1987 by Jill F. Hasling and Dr. John C. Freeman.
It is the belief of the founders that too many lives are lost and too much property destroyed due to the lack of weather safety information reaching the public. The Weather Museum will distribute weather safety information as well as maintain exhibits and programs that increase knowledge about weather.
Thousands of school children will be accommodated in the various educational programs offered by Weather Research Center and The Weather Museum, including summer weather camps, special talks and other demonstrations.
Internships for high school and college students involved in meteorology also will be expanded at the Museum.
Adult tours and special programs for teachers are available. The Weather Museum is an innovative, educational facility that will continue to grow in service to the community as well as a point of interest to Houston visitors.
The interactive exhibits for the Museum will include:
- Touch a Tornado!
An exhibit that allows children the experience of walking through a tornado.
- Hurricane in the Round!
A surround sound movie that puts visitors in the middle of a hurricane.
A world wide storm tracking board.
- Lights-Sound-Action! Lightning - Thunder - Wind - Hail
Computer generated lightning display complete with the sound of thunder
- Rain - Rain - Go Away! Flash Flood!
Flash Flood Table where you can change the terrain to see how flash floods form.
- It's Cold Outside! Winter Storms/Blizzards/Ice Storms
- It's Hot Outside! Heat Waves/Droughts
- Weather Works! Atmosphere - Pressure, Temperature, Clouds, Wind
Cloud Chamber - Temperature Difference with Height
- How to Measure the Weather!
Display of Weather Instruments with lessons on how to use them.
- Weather Forecasting through History!
Displays' featuring old weather maps, radar equipment, and books.
- Make your own weather forecast video! TV/Radio Studio
A television studio where museum visitors can present their weather forecasts and perform a video taped weather broadcast to take home.
- Meeting- class Room/Video Room Weather Safety Videos/Computer Games
An up to date computer room featuring weather education software, and weather facts and fun. A small theatre featuring weather safety videos and films. Classrooms for weather camp and teacher education class. A small theatre featuring weather safety videos and films.
- Library/Data Center
Library and weather data banks complete with currently available meteorological research. Weather maps and data that date back to 1899.
- Gift Shop
Weather equipment; weather books, tracking charts etc.
The Weather Museum is located at Weather Research Center at 5104 Caroline St in the Houston Museum District. It currently is in Phase Two of a Four Phase development program.
Phase One consisted of raising funds totaling $300,000 to purchase and repair the roof of the Museum building is now complete.
Phase Two will include the following projects:
- Construct an adequate draining system and pavement for the lower level of parking.