Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Man for al Retired fo By Forest Brown Johfi Purvis guided a generation of South Carolinians through hurricanes, squalls, unexpected snowstorms and other worrisome weather conditions for more than 34 years. Purvis retired as chief weather forecaster of the National Weather Forecasting Office in December 1981. Although he misses his old job, he keeps himself busy. "What I miss more than anything else is the challenge of the weather," Purvis said. "I enjoyed forecasting. Any storm in quite a forecast challenge. It's like trying to put together a giant puzzle." Employed by as the state climatolotist, Purvis records South Carolina weather data. He also teaches a course in meteorology at USC, which he has done since 1966. Purvis said his schedule is sometimes k..* ~i... li ? iirtuv. uut cjiwci.ya i cwcii uiiig. "I find, at times, it does limit my time," Purvis said. "I'm glad they gave me the opportunity of teaching. I think perhaps I have a personal goal in it. If you teach anything, you have to study it. This keeps me aware of the newest advances." The son of a Baptist minlister, Purvis was born in Chesterfield County near Ruby. He said the atmosphere of his childhood has had an impact on his life. "It was essentially a rural atmosphere," Purvis said. "I've been fortunate enough to have good health. The work was good hpfllthwisn " Purvis became interested in meteorology while majoring in general science at Wake Forest University. "Jobs were hard to come by back then." He said the economic situation then was much the same as it is today. Read | Mi Gamecock I ' jg every | wwcu- I H nesday I Wm and I Fr'day I The GAMECOCK is the student newspaper of the University of South Carolina and is published three times a week on Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays (luring the fall and spring semesters and weekly on Wednesdays during both summer tetsions, with the exception of university holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the GAMECOCK are those of the editors and not those of the University of South Carolina. The University of South Carolina is an equal opportunity institution. The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of the GAMECOCK. The Student Media Depart- SreljarePl ment is the parent organization of the GAMECOCK. Change of address forms, subscription * A requests and other correspondence should be tent to the GAMECOCK, Drawer A, j University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. 29208. |gHHj|^ Subscription rates are $15.00 for (I) year, $8.00 per fall or spring semester and $ 1.00 for both summer sessions. Third class postage paid at Columbia, S.C. iallliillllP'^-^ The "Gamecock" is a licensed student orgartisation of the University of South Carolina and receives funding from student , activity fees II seasons recaster misses 'c t-ormer weather forecaster John Purvis now v weather data. He has taught a meteorology cc After graduating from Wake Forest, Purvis entered the Weather Service. Between 1940 and 1947, he was stationed in Spartanburg, Washington, D.C., Swan Island (off the coast of Honduras), Boston and Charlotte, after which he moved to Columbia. IH MjM| ' ;8W?v ; . '>' JH hallenge of the we Photo by Frisk Latter vorks as the state climatolotist, recording lurse at USC since 19fifi. When Purvis arrived in Columbia, he was in charge of the weather station at the airport. Another station was downtown. "When they consolidated the two stations," Purvis said, "I became in charge c^both." ^toshj ather/ keeps busy Working with South Carolina weather for so many years, Purvis has been a part of some memorable weather events. "The most traumatic experience with a hurricane was Hazel. While I've been in South Carolina, she has done the most damage," Puivis said. Purvis recalled one of the worst mistakes in his experiences with forecasting ? the famous 1973 snowstorm that left South Carolina and much of the South paralyzed. "It developed very quickly," Purvis said. "I guess it just fooled the forecasters." Purvis said South Carolina snowstorms are difficult to forecast because of the state's location between the warm, moist air in the Gulf of Mexico and the cool, dry air farther north. Forecasting snowstorms is becoming easier, Purvis said. "Due to radar, satellites and better use of computer, it is easier to forecast these weather ennditinns " Pnrvic - ? J said. Despite vast improvements, weather forecasting is tricky, and snowstorms can be especially desruptive, Purvis said. "Last winter a system developed rather rapidly and fooled the forecasters," Purvis said. "I've seen more improvement in forecasting tornados," Purvis said. "Until the mid-50s, (tornado) forecasting in this area was so poor it was forbidden to do so." Purvis has met personal as well as career challenges. At 60, he began jogging. In three years, he completed three marathons. "It (jogging) gives a sense of accomplishment," Purvis said. An active person, Purvis plans to teach a course on local weather at USC this spring. As usual, he plans to run four miles to class. :nurcn is sr? than just lace to rship. l place to learn, i r i i ve 11111, lo relax, new people, : new friends. ireh is a place are. i to the sharing j , Shandon st Church, >unday. We I to share our lives I yours. don Baptist Church I n Woodroit> between Devlne arid Millwood. i :*hool 9:45 am. Church Training 6:00 pm crvices 8:30 am, 11:00 am and 7:00 pm i R. Lincoln, Pastor