This story was originally published by Vermont Biz on July 21, 2025.
Vermont Business Magazine As a mile-wide wedge tornado spun across the plains near Lubbock, Texas, a group from Vermont State University (VTSU) Lyndon watched in awe—not just of nature’s power, but of the science they were helping to document—then snapped into action, launching weather balloons, collecting data, and documenting the storm’s development. The students, part of the prestigious Storm Forecasting and Observation Program hosted by SUNY Oswego, were charged with applying their atmospheric sciences education to real-time weather forecasting.
From May 28 to June 8, twelve students from three universities tracked severe weather across Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. They observed five tornadoes, including the dramatic Lubbock event, along with wall clouds, dust devils, dust storms, golf ball-sized hail, mammatus clouds, and spectacular lightning displays. These findings were shared with local National Weather Service offices to support real-time forecasting efforts.
“There’s no substitute for seeing the atmosphere in action,” said Ari Preston, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at VTSU Lyndon, who co-led the trip alongside Jason Kaiser, VTSU’s Learning Spaces Technology Specialist. “This program gives students the chance to apply their forecasting skills in real time, under real pressure, and with real consequences. It’s an unforgettable experience that transforms them from students into scientists.”
Students engaged in daily forecasting, storm structure analysis, and data collection, including launching weather balloons to gather atmospheric profiles. The final week of the program was dedicated to student-led research projects based on the storms they observed. On rest days, students explored the historic downtown and riverwalk of San Angelo, TX, visited the Twister Movie Museum in Wakita, OK, and relaxed at Lake Colorado City State Park.
Charlie Schwenker, a VTSU Lyndon Atmospheric Sciences major with concentrations in Climate Change and National Weather Service, reflected on the experience, sharing, “I really enjoyed the immersive nature of the trip. Being fully engrossed in the weather for the entirety of the course was something pretty special. The kinship that came from the trip was awesome as well. Getting to meet a bunch of new people and become close so quickly was a great experience overall.” Charlie is also pursuing a Wilderness Leadership minor through VTSU Lyndon’s Outdoor Education, Leadership & Tourism Program.
The VTSU Lyndon Atmospheric Sciences program, which is the only program of its kind in Vermont, offers students hands-on learning through its on-campus weather center, observation deck, and TV station. Graduates have gone on to careers with local news stations, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and the National Weather Service, as well as top graduate schools.
This storm chasing experience exemplifies the program’s commitment to experiential learning, preparing students to forecast the future, both in weather and in their careers. To learn more about VTSU Lyndon’s Atmospheric Sciences program, please visit: https://vermontstate.edu/academic-programs/atmospheric-sciences-bs