Congressman Sherman Helps Launch Newly Upgraded Pierce College Weather Station

Congressman Sherman receives the Original Rain Gauge (July 1, 1949) as a gift from Jason Finely, Director of the Pierce College Weather Station, for helping secure the federal grant to upgrade and modernize the oldest weather station in the country

Woodland Hills, CA – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) joined President Kathleen Burke-Kelly, faculty, staff, students and invited guests to officially launch the newly upgraded Pierce College Weather Station.  Congressman Sherman secured an $85,000 federal grant through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to upgrade and expand the capabilities of the Pierce College Weather Station.

“When the temperature soars on a sweltering summer afternoon in Woodland Hills, the Pierce College Weather Station is recording data for local news media to report the record highs on the drive home or on the afternoon and nightly news,” said Congressman Sherman.  “The upgraded weather station is an invaluable resource for our community and other stakeholders who rely on the data to keep us informed about the weather forecast and conditions for the West Valley.”

“We were very excited to have Congressman Brad Sherman join us today to help celebrate the new station equipment he helped us obtain,” said Jason Finley, Assistant Professor of Geography/Meteorology and Director of the Pierce College Weather Station.  “We are thankful for his pivotal role in securing the federal grant that has allowed us to become an innovative and cutting-edge weather station.”

The Pierce College Weather Station is the official weather station of Woodland Hills, California and the oldest operational cooperative weather station in the country.  For over 60 years, the weather station has been providing the local community with consistent, accurate and quality data.  The data is used by the National Weather Service, local media outlets, colleges and universities, and other governmental agencies to provide timely weather reports and historical observations.  In July 2006, the Pierce College Weather Station recorded the highest temperature ever in Los Angeles County – 119 degrees.

The federal grant helped increase the capabilities of the weather station by automatically detailing weather statistics in 10-minute increments, and it now features a Skycam, net radiometer, sonic wind sensor, searchable database, and a new website.

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