Dr. Tim Spangler, Director of the COMET® Program
Latest News from Tim
Norman, OK
Posted on: 2011-12-22
I attended a very interesting and landmark meeting in Norman last week called "Weather ready nation: a vital conversation". In this meeting we talked about what can be done to avoid the over 500 tornado deaths that occurred in 2011 - a nearly unprecedented number. We learned some interesting things, especially from the 50 social scientists invited to attend. But for me the biggest thing I took away was the fact that in a EF4 or EF5 tornado, sending people to an interior room for safety just doesn't cut it. Tornadoes of that strength completely destroy homes and their occupants. The real goal here has to be something currently called "warn on forecast" where the population has to be sent to hardened shelters and strong buildings for safety. To achieve this, society will have to accept a one or two hour forecast that dangerous tornadoes may occur, and be willing to spend a few hours in a shelter with their neighbors. Some Oklahoma cities are essentially doing this now.
About Tim
Dr. Tim Spangler, director of the COMET® Program, holds a Ph.D. in Biometeorology from Utah State University. He has three periods that define his career and qualifications:
Private Sector: Tim worked 13 years in the private sector in roles of increasing responsibility. During this period, he developed the leadership and management skills needed to become a corporate officer and partner, and to work closely with a variety of business segments. He was active in the design, management, and analysis of field research campaigns involving aircraft and tracer gases.
University Faculty: Tim worked five years at Northern Illinois University as an Assistant and then tenured Associate Professor of Geography leading the meteorology program for both undergraduates and graduates. He was promoted to the Graduate Faculty, served in the faculty senate, and was recognized for his innovative approach to teaching by creating an interactive teaching laboratory under an NSF grant.
The COMET Program: Tim was one of the first employees of the COMET Program and promoted to Director in 1992. Under his leadership, the program has grown to be recognized as the outstanding geoscience professional development program in the world.
Dr. Tim Spangler, Director
Phone: (303) 497-8473
Fax: (303) 497-8491
E-mail: tspang@ucar.edu
