Weather gurus have been quietly mapping out conceptual plans for exhibits that would capture the excitement and awe of atmospheric events.

They’ve been talking with potential partners from around the country and working to build local support to snare a waterfront site for their vision.

Within the past several weeks, they even created a nonprofit group so they can launch the first phase of a lengthy fundraising campaign.

Volunteer “weather junkies” are being recruited to help promote what organizers believe could become one of Buffalo’s most popular and unique attractions.

Just don’t call it a weather “museum.”

Even in the infancy stages when it’s unclear whether the project will materialize, promoters of the proposed International Weather Experience Center @ Buffalo have been careful to avoid the word “museum.” They say the label conjures up images of dull exhibits and force-fed education.

“People are going to be seeing educational content while they’re being entertained,” said WIVB-TV meteorologist Don Paul, a member of the project’s steering committee.

For example, visitors would be able to chase simulated storms in an IMAX theater. Another exhibit would take people on a visual journey across the globe, exposing them to weather events in regions as diverse as Antarctica, the Amazon rain forest and the Great Plains’ infamous Tornado Alley.

And what would a weather experience center based in Buffalo be without some focus on snow? Tom Niziol, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Buffalo, said

the facility would aim to showcase the numerous faces of snow — including its inherent beauty.

More than two years have passed since project advocates unveiled their vision for an “architectural masterpiece” on the city’s shoreline that would serve as both a public attraction and a weather research center.

The media splash was followed by a lengthy lull. But Craig W. Turner, president of the Weather Experience Center, said the low-key approach has been by design.

Committees were set up to focus on issues that have included exhibits, marketing and site selection. Meetings have been held with numerous government officials, waterfront planners and weather experts from around the country.

“We needed some time to try to put our structure in place,” said Turner.

The behind-the-scenes efforts haven’t produced headlines, said Niziol, but they were critical to the group’s long-term goal.

“We realized early on that if we’re going to be serious about this, we had to do our due diligence and make sure all our i’s were dotted and our t’s were crossed,” said Niziol.

Organizers are not deluding themselves. They realize that setting up a nonprofit group, launching a Web site and producing promotional fliers are far easier tasks than the challenges they’ll soon face. Building the type of facility the group envisions would cost anywhere from $80 million to $150 million. Even the lower sum is a daunting figure given the fiscal migraines that plague the state and federal government.

But advocates are cautiously optimistic that with a blend of financing that might include contributions by various levels of government, foundations and outside groups, the project could realistically be launched within five to seven years.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the American Meteorological Society are among the groups that have been “very positive” about the experience center, project organizers said.

When a research component is added to the mix that could accommodate scientists and possibly academic programs, additional funding doors may open.

The five-to-seven-year time-line would coincide with the planned development of Buffalo’s outer harbor, said Turner. There was earlier talk about trying to build the facility near the inner harbor, a site that is closer to the downtown core. But project organizers have since concluded that the outer harbor would have more available space. They’ve been talking with waterfront officials and said the early feedback has been enthusiastic.

The proposed structure itself would even lend itself to teaching about the environment, said Niziol. Preliminary plans call for the building to embrace green technology. A wind turbine would provide power while allowing visitors to get a firsthand look at the technology. The waters of Lake Erie might even be tapped to help cool the experience center.

But project cheerleaders concede they have a long road ahead of them. One of the early tasks will involve raising money for a feasibility study that will aim to gauge potential attendance and review other issues. Volunteers will soon undergo fundraiser training.

People interested in getting involved in the project or making contributions can visit

www.buffaloweathercenter.org

.