Meeting Summary

of the

NWA Remote Sensing Committee

 

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Atlanta, Georgia

 

1.  Introduction of Meeting Participants: Ken Carey, Michael Eilts, Gary Ellrod, Ralph Ferraro, James Gurka, Mike Haas, John Knox, Wayne MacKenzie, Craig Nelson, Steve Vasiloff, and the NWA President David Knapp

 

2.  Member Transitions: We thanked departing members for their service, and welcomed two new members for their willingness to join together with us to serve the NWA.

 

            a. Departing Committee Members:

(1) Seth Gutman [GSD (formerly FSL)], Boulder, Colorado

(2) Steven Vasiloff (NSSL), Norman, Oklahoma

 

            b. New Committee Members:

                        (1) Jian Zhang: Research Scientist (CIMMS, NSSL), Norman, Oklahoma

                        (2) Wayne MacKenzie, Jr.: Research Assistant and Broadcast Meteorologist (University of Alabama

                        in Huntsville; WAAY-TV), Huntsville, Alabama

 

3.  Committee Mission: We discussed the NWA and committee missions:

 

            a. NWA: Supporting and Promoting Excellence in Operational Meteorology and Related Activities for 30 Years

 

            b. Remote Sensing Committee: Monitor and address current remote sensing issues of importance to the operational hydrometeorological community.

 

There was general agreement that slight changes would be appropriate to our mission.

 

ACTIONS: Ken will create and/or propose slight changes to our committee vision and mission, and will ask for feedback from the committee. Gary will then update our committee web site.

 

4.  Specific Goals for 2006: The committee consensus was the following initiatives:

 

            a. Identify the Need for Training on Using Remote Sensing Training Tools and Techniques.

 

ACTION: Ralph, with help from Wayne and others on the committee, will explore opportunities where our committee could provide the most value. This will include discussion with the NWA Professional Development Committee (formerly the Training Committee) currently chaired by Scott Reynolds.

 

            b. The committee enthusiastically supports a robust effort to promote remote sensing activities at the NWA annual meeting. Two themes rose from committee discussion: integration and fusion of current and emerging remote sensing applications and technologies (proposed by Mike Eilts), and current and emerging training on these technologies (proposed by Ralph).

 

ACTION: Ken will contact Theresa Rossi, the 2006 annual meeting chair, to discuss and coordinate a remote sensing committee-sponsored session to be co-chaired by Mike and Ken.

 

            c. Acquire formal approval from the NWA President for a letter of support for the GOES Microwave Sensor.

 

ACTION: Ralph will incorporate recent comments from committee members and the NWA Weather Analysis and Forecasting Committee. Ralph will circulate it for a final review, then work through the NWA Council to acquire NWA President approval. Ralph will then ensure appropriate agencies (e.g., NOAA, AMS, DoD, etc.) receive and support this letter.

 

5.  Committee Interaction during the Year: (e.g., quarterly conference calls, annual meeting participation)

 

            a. We will hold a quarterly conference call to facilitate communication among and support for committee activities.  Tentative dates for 2006 are the weeks of April 3rd, July 10th, and October 2nd.

 

ACTION: Ken will provide advance notice of the specific day and time for our committee conference.

 

            b. The committee will work together to support a possible special session on a robust effort to promote remote sensing activities at the NWA annual meeting on integration of current and emerging remote sensing technologies, and training on these technologies.

 

            c. NWA President Dave Knapp requested our committee encourage applications to THE DR. T. THEODORE FUJITA RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. This award is presented to an NWA member whose research has made a significant contribution to operational meteorology. Applications are due by July 1 to the NWA.

 

6.  Monthly Newsletter Inputs: Craig Nelson agreed to serve as our committee focal point to acquire and submit relevant and appropriate articles to the NWA newsletter

 

ACTIONS: Please respond to Craig’s monthly request for input for the NWA newsletter published each month. Ken will draft and submit a summary of our planned activities for this year.

 

7.  Web Page Activities:

 

            a. Several revisions and/or updates to our committee roster on our web site roster are needed.

 

ACTION: Everyone on the committee needs to ensure our web site stays current and relevant. Please provide recommended web site changes, additions, and corrections to Gary, with a courtesy copy to Ken.

 

            b. Steve indicated several updates/enhancement to our committee web page are needed.

 

ACTION: Steve will provide specific updates on radar technology activities to Gary who will post them.

 

8.  Survey to Determine NWA Remote Sensing Interests and Needs: Our committee will investigate and seek to determine the remote sensing training needs of NWA members. If available information is insufficient to assess these needs, we may decide to survey our membership.

 

ACTION: Craig will discuss with Cynthia data available to us on the committee  that we could use to help identify and assess remote sensing training  needs. Our effort may involve a survey of the membership.