Joliet Weather Center to Host Meet and Greet

Back in 1990, just before the deadly tornado hit Crest Hill and Plainfield, , a native, had gathered all the equipment necessary to predict storms at the time.

“It was all ready before the tornado and I guess you could say my weather career took off because of the tornado,” he said.

Hylka, who was interviewed repeatedly after the tornado, was a freshman in high school.

“I have been interested in weather since I was 5,” the Joliet native said.

Following that event, in an effort to continue his hobby and to expand his passion, Hylka founded what was then Hylka Weather Station, became Alert Weather Station and is now Joliet Weather Center.

“I actually am the one who started the Joliet Weather Center back in 1990, when I was a freshman in high school,” he said.

On Thursday night, starting at 6 p.m., the community will have a chance to meet Hylka, Danny Dutkiewicz and Brian Delach, all volunteers at Joliet Weather Center, in person.

Joliet Weather Center has only advertised the event on Facebook and Twitter, but are hoping to host a number of community members.

“We’re hoping to get about 20 to 40 people,” he said.

Information about the event can be found here.