This is already turning out to be the year of the tornado - even downtown Raleigh hasn't gone unscathed.

What better time to stock up on tips for surviving tornadoes, as well as hurricanes and lightning storms, than at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' second annual StormFest, Saturday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also meet local television meteorologists and discover the techniques and tools they use to predict the weather.

This free event is presented in collaboration with the National Weather Service (NWS), American Red Cross and Wake County Emergency Services, and includes demonstrations, activities and educational material for all ages.

Two "Ask the Experts" panel discussions feature meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner (WRAL-5), Don Schweeneker (ABC-11), Jeremy Baker (NBC-17) and Lee Ringer (News 14) at 10:30 a.m. followed by chief meteorologists Greg Fishel (WRAL-5), Chris Hohmann (ABC-11), Wes Hohenstein (NBC-17) and Gary Stephenson (NEWS 14) at 2:30 p.m.

Visitors can also present a mock forecast in front of a TV weather map, take in several presentations and check out emergency response vehicles and a mobile hospital tent.

Visit www.naturalsciences.org or call (919)733-7450, extension 502 for more information.