Weather can change in the blink of an eye, especially in the Midwest, where strong storms and roller coaster temperatures are a part of daily life. For Storm Lake Community Schools, these shifts can have a profound impact on the day-to-day operations of the district. While families and staff depend on consistent schedules, the district has a responsibility to ensure that safety is always the top priority.
The administration at Storm Lake understands that even minor disruptions—such as a late start, early dismissal, or full school closure—can create a ripple effect. These changes require careful planning as they can affect families, staff, transportation schedules, and daily operations. Superintendent of Storm Lake Community Schools, Stacey Cole, said that “having accurate, timely information is crucial, even for something as seemingly simple as ensuring our lunch staff knows what to prepare for. The more notice we have, the better we can communicate with everyone impacted by these decisions.”
Real-Time Weather Insights
That’s where Clarity and BAM Weather come into play. With these tools, Storm Lake Community Schools now have the advantage of real-time, detailed insights into weather conditions, giving them a level of certainty that simply wasn’t available before.
“One of the most valuable tools in the Clarity app is the Chances tab,” Cole said. “I love being able to see the minimum, maximum, and most likely scenarios for a weather event. This is especially critical in the winter months when conditions can change rapidly.”
The real game-changer is the ability to directly communicate with meteorologists through Clarity’s chat feature.
“Having the ability to communicate directly with a meteorologist and ask specific questions related to our area makes a huge difference,” Cole said. “Weather is never one-size-fits-all, and being able to go back and forth to get tailored insights for our district is incredibly helpful.”
Managing Winter Weather Challenges
Clarity proves to be especially vital when navigating the complexities of winter weather.
“Whether it’s deciding on an early dismissal, knowing when road conditions will be safest for buses, or understanding how a storm is developing in real time, Clarity gives us confidence in making the best decisions for our students and staff,” Cole said.
Having access to these specialized insights means Storm Lake can make informed decisions that prioritize safety while minimizing disruption to students and staff.
“The biggest benefit of Clarity is that it serves as a thinking partner in decision-making,” Cole said.
For Storm Lake Community Schools, weather is no longer an obstacle; it’s a manageable challenge. With Clarity, the district can focus on what matters most—providing a safe, stable environment for students and staff—no matter what the forecast says.
