Shapiro Administration highlights upgraded flood warning system and new K-12 weather curriculum

Officials from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Greencastle-Antrim School District, Penn State University, and the National Weather Service are set to highlight recent improvements to the state’s weather monitoring system and a new K-12 weather education program. The event will take place at Greencastle-Antrim Middle School in Franklin County on July 30, 2025.

The focus of the event is the ongoing update and enhancement of the Pennsylvania Integrated Flood Warning and Observation System (IFLOWS 2.0). This system provides real-time weather information and alerting tools for emergency managers, meteorologists, and the public throughout Pennsylvania using the Keystone Mesonet network.

In addition to system upgrades, Greencastle-Antrim School District has introduced a new K-12 weather curriculum developed with Penn State University. The curriculum is based on state standards and is designed for use by educators across Pennsylvania. It incorporates data from IFLOWS 2.0 as part of the Pennsylvania Environmental Monitoring Network managed by Penn State University.

Participants in the event include PEMA Director Randy Padfield, Dr. Paul Markowski from Penn State University’s Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, Ashley Evans from the National Weather Service in State College, and Dr. Lura Hanks, Superintendent of Greencastle-Antrim School District.

The media event will be held outdoors at an IFLOWS 2.0 site located behind Greencastle-Antrim Middle School unless inclement weather requires moving indoors to a nearby administrative building.

Press planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Jeff Jumper at jejumper@pa.gov.