Coordinators are trained by NWS meteorologists to know how to identify hazardous weather radar signatures, interpret our products and services, and communicate those threats to you at the very local level. In addition, our coordinators are Weather Ready Nation Ambassadors, and have attended multiple SKYWARN Spotter Training sessions.
Tricia is a native Texan who grew up "watching the thunderheads go by" in Garland, TX. She documented her first storm damage at age 17 when a microburst damaged her high school. She attended her first Skywarn training in Austin in 2012 & her life hasn't been the same since. She takes her spotter duties very seriously and enjoys observing, documenting, analyzing, and reporting weather and impacts. She learns from every storm and is fascinated by not only storms but also the damage that can be left behind. She witnessed the EF4 damage from the Pedernales Valley tornado after the May 27, 1997 Central TX Tornado Outbreak; EF4 damage after the Garland tornado Dec. 26, 2015; and others. Tricia holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is passionate about communicating weather hazards and forecasts via social media to help save lives and property. At her day job, she is a senior instructional systems designer and develops and delivers training for the state of Texas. Tricia has lived in Austin for a total of 25 years and has experienced extreme drought, extreme cold, flooding, severe weather, and tropical weather. She has Turned Around and Not Drowned at two flooded low water crossings in the Hill Country. Her Happy Place is watching storms roll in.
Lifelong weather enthusiast who came this close *shows forefinger and middle finger 1/2" apart* to pursuing a meteorology degree from Texas A&M. Would have complemented my UT undergrad degree. ;-)
