The forecast called for victory as NIU meteorology students placed third in overall competition at the 1985-86 national forecasting competition.

Paul Dunne, a meteorology student, said about 15 NIU students competed in the competition which was sponsored by the University of Michigan. There were 241 students competing nationwide.

Dunne said the top five forecasters from each of the 20 universities entered in the contest competed against each other. NIU took second place behind Penn State in this area.

“We’ve always had a pretty good forecasting department here,” Dunne said.

Dunne said each university forecasts for cities across the country. NIU forecasted in about 10 cities. They are judged on how accurately they predict the weather, including high and low temperatures, precipitation, cloud cover, wind direction and wind speed.

Dr. Allen Staver is a professor of meteorology who works with the team. He said the students prepare for the competition by going to classes, but they learn more by talking to each other.

“They hang around the weather station a lot. They can learn a lot from each other,” Staver said.

Staver said the competition is good for the students because it gives them something good to put on their resumes and gives them a better chance to get a job in forecasting.

on Robert, a meteorology student, said students could compete in the freshman/sophomore, junior/senior or graduate student/faculty category.

obert said the experience was invaluable. He said it was important to apply on a daily basis what is learned in the classroom.

“I think there is no substitute for experience,” Robert said. He said he felt the department got a big boost from the third place win. “We’re on the way up,” he said.