Professed science nerd and Richmond Landcare coordinator Hannah Rice-Hayes says it’s the combination of relatable science and beer on tap that entices her to Science in the Pub. 

This Thursday, August 29, learn to understand the weather better to prepare for floods and extreme events as you delve into the science of storms at Science in the Pub.

Casting an eye to the sky for this month’s free talk, the Northern Rivers Science Hub and Richmond Landcare Inc bring local presenter Vicky Findlay and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) senior forecaster NSW & ACT Mohammed Nabi to the Lismore City Bowling Club at 5.30pm.

“You don’t even have to be interested in science,” Hannah said. “This Thursday’s talk will be interesting as it gives a sound introduction to the weather, how we read it to make forecasts and how different weather patterns form.

“It will improve our weather literacy so we can better understand what it means to have a flood come in or an east coast low in Lismore.

“Usually we just have local scientists talking but with funding from Helping Hands, we could bring in a senior forecaster from Sydney – he’s a bit of a science nerd too.”

The Science in the Pub talk will give some hot tips for staying cool when the storm season hits, especially when local woman Vicki Findlay talks about her experiences of living in North Lismore.

Vicky moved onto acreage next to Slaters Creek in North Lismore in 1997. She fell in love with the wetland and is still there today. 

Vicki’s street is cut by minor flooding, so dealing with floods is a frequent occurrence. This has led Vicki to develop an interest in flood safety, neighbour support networks and preparation strategies in order to protect her property and natural environment. 

Vicki is involved in Landcare in North Lismore and has seen first hand the difference this has made to flooding impacts along Slaters Creek. 

The weather affects us every day and while you might think you know your way around a forecast when did you last look at a synoptic chart? 

Bring your burning science questions to the event, as no topic is off the cards.

The talk will cover questions like:

• What is a synoptic chart?

• Why does the wind blow?

• How does hail actually form?

• When is a cloud a thunder cloud? 

• Myth busting the relationship between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder as a proxy to calculating how far the storm is

• What does a bolt of lightning look like up close?

• Does the concrete jungle get less rain and thunderstorms? Ie is there any truth behind the "heat island effect" 

• Can we control the weather? (Is cloud seeding a thing?)

• How often are computer models "tweaked/trained" based on verification from actual observations?

• What changes can we expect in the local weather with climate change?

• Where can I get good reliable weather or flood info for my area?

• How do I know a flood is coming?

• What do long time locals do to prepare for extreme weather events?

Science in the Pub will be held at Lismore City Bowling Club at 5.30pm this Thursday, August 29.

As well as relatable science, there will be free finger food and cheap drinks.