Hurricane Agnes Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Quote Weather scientist dies in rough surf after forecast of risk By Associated Press Oct. 2, 2019 at 6:37 p.m. EDT DUCK, N.C. — A top weather forecasting official, who oversaw the government’s prediction centers that track ocean, hurricane and even space conditions, has died in rough seas on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. William Lapenta, 58, died Monday after lifeguards pulled him from the surf off the coastal town of Duck, local officials said. The National Weather Service had issued a warning earlier Monday about the area’s high risk of rip currents, a beach phenomenon that can pull swimmers out to sea. Lapenta was swimming alone and it’s not clear if he’d been caught by a rip current, town spokeswoman Christian Legner said Wednesday. Lifeguards pulled Lapenta to shore, but responding emergency medical workers said he was dead at the scene, Legner said. While the specific reason he ran into trouble isn’t known, Monday’s surf conditions were likely a factor, Legner said. The weather service has recorded seven previous deaths in rip currents in North Carolina this year, among 41 nationwide. Lapenta was director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction, which issues forecasts and warnings for aviation, ocean, storm and climate conditions in U.S. territories and beyond. Lapenta led NOAA’s efforts to develop enhanced weather prediction methods by allowing outside scientists virtual access to help improve government models, National Weather Service Director Louis Uccellini said in a statement. More here - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/weather-scientist-dies-in-rough-surf-after-forecast-of-risk/2019/10/02/ee368a80-e536-11e9-b0a6-3d03721b85ef_story.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCAPEWEATHERAF Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 prayers go up for his soul and his family grieving process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donsutherland1 Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 This is a big and sad tragedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle W Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 terrible story... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohleary Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Shocking and we all will miss him around the building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now