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JAMESTOWN – A Ellery Center native known for capturing beautiful sunsets when not chasing down powerful storms is now a published author.
Shawn Sweatman, founder of Chautauqua Weather Today, recently published Chautauqua Sunsets, a book that details one of the area’s best-known wonders.
Sweatman says with help from his niece he put together a collection of his favorite sights.
“No two sunsets are alike,” said Sweatman. “You can go to the same spot for three days and get anywhere from three, six, nine, as many pictures as you want, and no picture will be the same.”
He says his two favorite photos are of a sailboat on Chautauqua Lake and of the Celoron lighthouse.
The United States Air Force Veteran launched Chautauqua Weather Today in 2016 after becoming a certified storm spotter with the National Weather Service.
“Not everybody wants to go out in the weather when its bad, it gives them a birds eye view of what’s going on, so they don’t have to go out,” explained Sweatman.
Sweatman utilizes a mobile weather station to record real time data while tracking storms in his SUV.
The information, in addition to livestreaming video online, helps not only community members keep an eye on the sky, but professional forecasters too.
“Shawn is one of the most valuable assets we have in the First Defense Weather Center,” said Chief Forecaster Dakota Hunter. “Our partnership is one that is unique to us across the Southern Tier. He has the knowledge, training, and the proper gear on-board his storm chaser vehicle to stay safe.”
“He gives us remarkable views of storms from a safe distance where he is not putting himself, or anyone else danger,” furthered Hunter. “There are only so many places you can put a fixed camera; with Shawn having the ability to be mobile, we’re able to take you right into the storms no matter where they happen to be. That further emphases our commitment of putting local weather first.”
To learn more about Chautauqua Weather Today, and learn more about Sweatman’s book, visit Chautauqua Weather Today on Facebook.
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