The Weather Channel’s senior meteorologist Dick Whitaker visited St John’s Primary School as part of Austar’s Climate and Weather Month.

He said weather patterns had been shifting for the past 30 years and Australians will have to start considering and using water differently to the way they have been.

“There has been a rainfall shift,” Mr Whitaker said.

“Country people are water smart, and they will need to diversify crops.

“It’s factual that it is happening. There is overwhelming evidence that global warming is happening.

He said the global warming trend and the need to offset pollution to slow the effects of it would take longer than expected.

“Its not going to stop straight away. And it means we have to change our practices. Water, energy and farming,” Mr Whitaker said.

“People have the capacity to perform change. Farmers are adaptable and smart.

The kids enjoyed all the latest gadgets including a blue screen and camera used in aiding them to read the weather like television presenters do.

The St John’s students also received a big thrill when two skydivers flew into their oval as part of the weather man’s visit.

The skydivers jumped out of a plane over the school and flew in. The first one, Rob Ellery flew in fast, sending the kids into a frenzy. The second skydiver Paul Smith brought the Weather Channel flag behind him.

After Mr Smith had landed safely all the children greeted with screams of delight and excitement.

Both, who between them have racked up over 20,000 dives, were inundated with

children then racing up to them.

Mr Whitaker said the children’s response was amazing.

“This is the first time we’ve done it for smaller children, it’s great,” he said.