Haag provides forensic meteorology services in which our experts are able to analyze weather conditions at a given location for a certain date or range of dates. Our experts utilize local weather data such as surface observations, radar, and/or storm reports. Forensic meteorology has proven to be a valuable resource when weather conditions are believed to have been a contributing factor for insurance disputes, personal injury cases, wrongful death lawsuits, motor vehicle accidents, etc. This type of analysis can be performed on its own or in conjunction with an engineering evaluation by one of our licensed engineers.
For weather-related cases, we employee several meteorologists qualified to perform meteorological reviews. All of our meteorologists have obtained their Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) designation from the American Meteorological Society or work under the direct supervision of a CCM. Meteorologists that have obtained a CCM must pass a rigorous examination process exhibiting a high degree of technical proficiency and moral character.
Haag also has experts with degrees in both meteorology and engineering. These individuals are qualified to review applicable weather-related data, as well as perform site inspections and comment on building performance. These experts conduct detailed meteorological analyses of severe weather events including hail, thunderstorm winds, tornadoes, etc., to support observations made during their engineering inspections or reviews.
Regardless of discipline, our experienced meteorologists have provided expert testimony in cases involving slip and falls, extreme winds, hail, etc. Our clients include insurance companies, attorneys, property owners, and more.
Precipitation and temperature time history reviews
Wind versus wave data analysis
Winter weather evaluation
Weather data analysis for agriculture applications
Storm surveys
Slip and fall support
Expert witness testimony
Fred Campagna, CCM, CBM, is a veteran on-air meteorologist with twenty-five years of experience. Fred has worked as a forensic and consulting meteorologist for more than ten years and has worked on hundreds of civil and insurance-related legal cases, providing detailed written reports plus courtroom and deposition testimony.
Pat Hyland, CCM, is a meteorologist with over ten years of experience providing meteorological consulting services. He previously worked for the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory where he transitioned cutting-edge science, research, and technology into implementation within the National Weather Service. His past research has included severe weather radar applications, probabilistic hazard information and impacts, cloud microphysics, and lightning.
Jared Leighton, CCM, is a meteorologist with seventeen years of experience forecasting for the National Weather Service (NWS) across numerous geographic areas. Most recently he forecast for the NWS in Kansas City, providing life-saving severe and winter weather warnings as well as post-storm snow, tornado, hail, and wind analyses for Kansas City and its surrounding areas. His past formal research comprised all types of severe weather, but focused primarily on field observation, collection, and remote detection of large hail.
Kyle Pittman is a meteorologist and is also currently a PhD student and graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment at Northern Illinois University. His current research work is examining the impacts of climate change on tornado outbreaks, and he has past research experience on understanding supercell thunderstorm environments, heavy rainfall events, and tornadogenesis.
Christine Alfano, PhD, PE, CCM, is an engineer and meteorologist. She is currently the only P.E. in the U.S. with a CCM designation. Her past research has included studying oceanic heat content and hurricane intensity, as well as tornado-related building performance. Dr. Alfano is currently serving on a joint committee between the American Meteorological Society and American Society of Civil Engineers to develop a standard for Wind Speed Estimation in Tornadoes. This will include updates to the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, as well as chapters on radar detection, in situ observations, etc. She has inspected hundreds of buildings coupling her engineering analysis with site-specific weather data. She has extensive litigation history including appraisals, depositions, and trial testimony.
Tim Marshall, P.E. (Emeritus), has a combined background in meteorology and civil engineering. He was a key contributor to the development of the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale used operationally by the National Weather Service since 2007 to rate tornadoes.
To speak to one of Haag’s Meteorologist about your project, contact us or call 800-527-0168 or 214-614-6500.
