Ball State University’s meteorology program equips students with hands-on experience, innovative tools, and community-focused projects, preparing them to shape the future of weather science.
Operating out of the Department of Geography and Meteorology, the Cardinal Weather Service is a group of meteorology and climatology students who provide tailored forecasts to clients and residents of east-central Indiana. The students create forecasts for Ball State Athletics and local partners in the community such as the Cardinal Greenway, a 62-mile trail.
The Cardinal Weather Service began as an immersive learning project in 2016, but now allows students to earn one to three class credits. This experience offers students real-world applications, allowing them to serve the community rather than submitting a sample forecast for a professor to grade.
As part of a nearly $60 million renovation, the Department of Geography and Meteorology underwent significant upgrades to enrich the educational experience for meteorology students. They were able to add a lightning detector and a Davis Weather Station, as well as a significant gathering space for the Cardinal Weather Service that includes state-of-the-art monitors and a large recording studio for students to practice their broadcasting skills.
Ball State meteorology grads have been able to land jobs in private, commercial, and government sectors across the U.S. and Canada due to their experiences in the program. Using the skills they developed, former students are now helping save lives and property, whether from behind the scenes creating forecasts at places like the Storm Prediction Center and National Weather Service, or in front of the green screen on television.
