Meteorology college students set to forecast 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

St. Cloud State University Meteorology college students will get hands-on expertise offering onsite climate evaluation and forecasts for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games within the Twin Cities subsequent week.

SCSU Associate Professor Dr. Rachel Humphrey might be joined by eight college students in taking common on-site measurements of temperature and humidity to evaluate whether or not situations are secure for athletes to compete, and they’ll additionally predict extreme or hazardous climate.

With over 100,000 followers and individuals anticipated between areas on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis and the National Sports Center in Blaine, college students can have the possibility to supply significant forecasts which have a direct impact on the coordination of this high-profile occasion.

“This project will give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of atmospheric science in a real-world setting,” Humphrey mentioned. “They will be able to see the firsthand impact of their forecasts and analyses.”

Students will give three climate briefings per day throughout 12-hour shifts. They might be accountable for launching climate balloons and analyzing the environment, after which distilling the data gathered so it may be defined to occasion and security employees.

“Students will also get to use instruments designed to specifically measure WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which is a characteristic of the atmosphere they have not measured before,” Humphrey added. “WBGT measures the heat stress in direct sunlight by accounting for temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.”

In the leadup to the Games, occasion organizers reached out to SCSU, which boasts the one meteorology program in Minnesota, for pupil individuals to tackle the roles of forecasting, knowledge assortment and climate evaluation.

The National Weather Service Twins Cities will even be concerned in working with SCSU college students.

“It’s a really nice way of making connections through student learning and seeing how the National Weather Service is involved with events,” Humphrey mentioned. “It will be a good learning experience for everyone involved.”

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games run from June 20-26.