Every year, schools across the country participate in the national forecasting competition known as WxChallenge.  This year, Penn State is proud to announce that we placed 6th out of forty-eight schools that actively forecasted for the full 2009-2010 season.

Cumulative winners for the year were Matt Alto in 1st place and Nick Vita in 2nd place for Junior& Senior forecasters and Ryan Kramer in 2nd place for Freshman & Sophomore forecasters.

On top of that, our top five forecasters, Matt Alto, Josh Boden, Nick Vita, Jesse Schwakoff and Ryan Kramer had the best combined score in the country of any other schools’ top five forecasters. Overall, eight students were able to collect a total of sixteen trophies! In addition, five students participated in the tournament at the end of the season which consisted of the top sixty-four forecasters including Matt Alto, Jesse Schwakoff, Christine McEnrue, Nick Vita and Ryan Kramer. Nick Vita made it to the championship round and was able to finish in 2nd place which is the furthest any Penn State student has gone since the start of the tournament in 2005!

Beginning in the fall of 2010, WxChallenge will be offered as a class during both the fall and spring semesters. We encourage all to sign up for the class so that you can become at top forecaster! The class is listed as METEO 297F on the schedule of courses. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Syrett ([email protected]).

Story courtesy of Nick Vita