To the delight of about 100 fourth graders at McLean’s Chesterbrook Elementary School, NBC Channel 4 Washington Meteorologist Tom Kierein gave a presentation about weather forecasting and weather safety.

To the delight of about 100 fourth graders at McLean’s Chesterbrook Elementary School, NBC Channel 4 Washington Meteorologist Tom Kierein gave a presentation about weather forecasting and weather safety.

“Thunder is our friend” was one of the messages the broadcaster told the students, explaining that thunder warns of storms and lightning and gives people warning to seek shelter. The presentation, timed in conjunction with an upcoming fourth grade science unit on weather, explained the orientation of the earth and why weather exists.

Kierein took time from his television broadcasts last week to give the students a lesson on variables to forecast the weather, and why it is important to respect weather and pay attention to weather forecasts. After showing video of the earth’s atmosphere and examples of deadly tornados, he cautioned the children, saying “the atmosphere is a wilderness. It is not easy to predict, and can act like a wild animal. Sometimes it is nice, and sometimes it is nasty and mean.” He then explained how supercomputers are used today to help forecast the weather, what to do in weather emergencies, and how weather can even affect the price of food and other commodities.

Kierein, author of the book Weather, published by the National Geographic Society, was presented with a few Chesterbrook souvenirs at the end of his talk. Kierein offered to sign a copy of his book, which the school PTA will auction during its February online auction fundraiser. He featured his Chesterbrook T-shirt and thanked the school during his forecast on Wednesday’s morning broadcast.