UGA's Student-Run Weather Service Keeps You Ahead of the Storm

Earlier this month, UGA Geography and Atmospheric Sciences professor Dr. John Knox announced the newly reorganized student-run meteorology and weather broadcast group, The Weather Dawgs. For nearly four and a half years, UGA Atmospheric Sciences majors have provided Athens and much of northern GA with comprehensive weather forecasting as "AthensGA Weather," the brainchild of UGA alumni Matt Daniel. Now, with full approval from UGA's Athletics and Marketing/Communications Departments, the student group has rebranded with the intention of expanding their broadcasting capabilities and continuing to develop student's meteorological skills. According to fourth year Atmospheric Sciences major, P.J. Gudz, The Weather Dawgs provides an essential service to the Northern Georgia region. The two weather forecasting hubs nearest to Athens, Atlanta and Greenville-Spartanburg, are just far enough away to create a meteorological 'blind spot.' The need for quality weather broadcasting in Northern GA was demonstrated when a 'killer' EF-4 tornado tore through Newnan GA in March 2021. Two Newnan residents, unable to access local weather channels, turned to the student group's late night YouTube broadcast where student meteorologist William O'Neil warned them of the storm's severity. The couple took shelter per O'Neil's warning just before their house was seriously damaged in the storm. The couple credit the student group with saving their lives. The Weather Dawgs will produce forecast blogs on their website from Monday-Thursday with additional entries anytime severe weather is expected. Soon, the Weather Dawgs will also post daily weathercasts created using their state of the art studio software and WSI MAX weather graphics systems. They'll continue to pay special attention to severe weather alerts across northern Georgia and will provide videos explaining the science and potential impacts of such meteorological phenomena.