Tours

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A National Weather Center tour guide standing in front of radar trucks.

National Weather Center Tours

General Tour Information

All tours require a reservation due to scheduling and security guidelines (walk-in tours are not permitted). Tours fill up quickly, so please allow 2-4 weeks advance notice for reservations.
Only those tour guests registered in advance will be allowed to tour the NWC. On-site and last-minute additions to the tour guest list are prohibited for security purposes.
Federal offices are part of the National Weather Center. All persons entering those spaces are subject to federal policies, guidelines, and regulations. All persons and packages are subject to inspection.
Foreign Visitors will be required to fill out a Foreign National Visitors Form. This form will be emailed out after completing registration and is required to be returned via email to tours@nwc.ou.edu.
Tours are not available on federal holidays, school holidays, and on occasion due to scheduled events.
The National Weather Center tour is a walking tour, as guests will visit various spaces and offices throughout the facility. The National Weather Center is handicapped accessible, however, if a tour guest needs a mobility device for the tour, (walker, wheelchair, powerchair, cane, etc.) tour guests will need to bring those devices with them for the tour.
All tours include visits to the McCasland Family Observation Deck, School of Meteorology, the NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, the NWS Norman Weather Forecast Office, and the National Severe Storm Laboratory.
A camera or cellphone are allowed on the tour for photography, but please refrain from using the flash.
There is no charge for tours of the National Weather Center.
Tour durations: 1-1.5 hours

Public Tours

9 Guests or Less

Summer public tours are available on most of the following times:

Mondays at 10:00 a.m. & 2:30 pm (3:00 pm in July)
Fridays at 10:00 am & 2:30 p.m. (3:00 pm in July)

Please note that tours are not offered every Monday and Friday, and on some days, there may only be one time slot available.

Book Public Tour

Group Tours

Parties of 10 or More

Summer group tours are available most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
On certain dates, there may be flexibility for afternoon tour times; please inquire for availability.
Please request tours at least 2-4 weeks in advance.
Please reference school/ogranization/group name in tour reservation.
Please indicate group size in tour reservation.
Groups larger than 25 require additional tour guides, which may not always be available.
All groups and their chaperones must adhere to the National Weather Center Etiquette & Chaperone Responsibilities Policy (pdf).

School Tours

Maximum 30 Guests

Summer school tours are are available most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
On certain dates, there may be flexibility for afternoon tour times; please inquire for availability.
Please reference school/organization name and group size in tour reservation.
School tour size limit is a maximum of 30 students, chaperones included.
For every 10 students (K-12), 1 teacher/chaperone is required.
All school groups and their chaperones must adhere to the National Weather Center Etiquette & Chaperone Responsibilities Policy (pdf)

Group/School Tour Request Form

Please complete the form with details about your group and preferred tour dates. Submitting this form does not guarantee a tour reservation, but our team will follow up with you regarding availability and next steps.

National Weather Center Visitation Policies

National Weather Center Clear Bag Policy

Due to heightened security measures, the following baggage and parcel control policy is in effect for the National Weather Center:

Visitors are allowed only a small clutch purse (6.5" x 4.5") or small clear tote for tours of the National Weather Center.
Prohibited bags include: backpacks, diaper bags, fanny packs, camera bags, purses, luggage, shopping bags, large cameras or other items that can offer concealment. Please leave these items in your vehicle prior to the tour.
Wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, canes, umbrellas, jackets, sweaters, small wallets, medication, small cameras and camcorders, cell phones, and small sealable beverage containers are permitted and subject to inspection.
This policy is subject to change without notice.

The National Weather Center visitor bag policy, which shows bags are approved and which are prohibited.

National Weather Center Protocol

The National Weather Center (“NWC”), including its academic and research units, are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all students, employees, and participants in their day-to-day work as well as in any conference, workshop, field project, or project hosted or managed by the NWC no matter what role they play or their background. The NWC prohibits discrimination and/or harassment of anyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran, as well as any other characteristics protected under state or federal law.

We expect all students, employees, and participants (including those not directly affiliated with OU/NWC partners) to abide by the NWC Protocol (pdf) when operating in the NWC or during any NWC-related event. This Protocol is a compilation of relevant University policies assembled for convenience and this Protocol does not supersede or modify any existing OU or NWC partner policies.

Information for Foreign National Guests

NWC Security guidelines require that foreign nationals (non-US citizens) obtain security clearance. Foreign national visitors are required to complete and submit the NWC Foreign National Visitor Form at least two weeks in advance of a tour date. In order to receive the required form, you must first register for a tour.