An upcoming event will provide GIS professionals and students with a unique behind-the-scenes experience at the National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola facility. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the operational forecast office, gaining insight into how meteorologists monitor and respond to weather events across the Gulf Coast region.

Participants will also engage directly with National Weather Service staff, including meteorologists and technical personnel, to better understand how geospatial data supports forecasting, warning operations, and emergency response. The Mobile/Pensacola office is responsible for issuing forecasts and warnings across multiple counties in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, making it a critical hub for weather intelligence in the region .

A highlight of the visit will be the opportunity to meet Jessica Chace, the office’s Warning Coordination Meteorologist and on-staff GIS professional. She plays a key role in bridging meteorology, GIS, and community outreach, demonstrating how spatial analysis enhances severe weather communication and preparedness efforts.

This event offers a valuable learning experience by connecting academic knowledge with real-world applications, showcasing how GIS is integrated into critical weather operations and public safety missions.

NWS - Mobile/Pensacola webpage