n the summer of 1996, millions of visitors arrived in Atlanta to watch the world’s finest athletes compete for the coveted gold. Spectators watched as highly skilled men and women competed in strenuous sports such as track and field, mountain bik- ing, rowing, and soccer. Conditioning and the ability to adjust to the weather conditions determined who was the best in his or her event. However, spectators were sometimes oblivious to the environment and the dangers posed to the athletes by inclement weather conditions. And, the 1996 Summer Olympic Games were held during the hottest time of the year. To ensure the success of these Games, the National Weather Service (NWS), an arm of the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, provided weather support to t

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