NWA NEWSLETTER

NO. 99-12 DECEMBER 1999

(Ed. The Job Corner was deleted from the December Newsletter before posting on the NWA Web site. Please browse to the NWA Jobs page for current openings.)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Working Together to Advance Weather Forecasting as an Applied Science

This is my last message to you as President of the National Weather Association, so I thought that I would look back upon what we have accomplished during the last year before I bid a dew.

We have maintained a strong membership that is approaching 3000 people who actively support the NWA through their work on various committees, on the NWA Council, participating at the NWA Annual Meeting and by contributing to the NWA periodicals. Our Web page is kept up-to-date and current; it also contains great links to meteorological resources for training and education demonstrating the NWA's commitment to continuing education for its members. This emphasis is also displayed in our annual meetings where we conduct workshops, setting us apart from other conferences, which typically offer little chance for interaction and discussion among attendees. Our Annual Meeting in Biloxi was well attended. I saw many people all decked out playing cards, or having a drink at the isobar or dinner at the isaladbar. It was a great time to share knowledge and experiences in a relaxed atmosphere.

The NWA Weather and Analysis Committee plans to soon have an "electronic journal" on-line; this e-journal will supplement the National Weather Digest by displaying short papers on selected topics that can be best illustrated with animation and/or color images. So, for those of you caught up in the Web, this is a great way to keep informed on the latest advances in the field and interesting case studies that are only weeks/months old not years old! Cirrus-ly, the e-journal concept displays the power of the Web; no sense in just maintaining the stratus quo. If you or a colleague wants to contribute to the e-journal just watch for details in upcoming newsletters. It’s a great way to communicate an idea while it is still fresh in your mind.

We need people in the NWA who are committed (I know many who ought to be committed!) to maintaining excellence within the operational meteorology community. I hope that we will continue to have people who are willing to volunteer to help organize a conference, review and write Digest articles, write a column for the Newsletter, join one of our many committees, or run for office. The NWA is only as strong as its members’ commitment. We have grown because we continue to fill a niche in the operational community. We need to remain vital and strong through the next century; that vitality must come through the membership. As we come to Washington, D.C. this October to celebrate our 25th anniversary, we need to rededicate ourselves to being a proactive organization that looks out for the good of operational meteorologists and individuals in related careers while providing an enriching environment of continuing research, education and training in which they can grow professionally.

It has been a blast being your president this past year. I deeply appreciate the confidence that you placed in me and the rest of the NWA Council. It has been a privilege serving you, my colleagues. Thank you very much. Thanks also to the NWA Council members for their sacrifices as great volunteers, their commitment and great advice. Thanks to all Committee Chairpersons and committee members, many of whom put in numerous volunteer hours planning annual meetings and workshops, reviewing manuscripts, mentoring, maintaining the Web pages, keeping a credible NWA weathercaster Seal of Approval program, and more. I also want to especially thank Kevin Lavin, our executive director, and Joe Schaefer, our past president, for their help over the past year. I simply could not have done this job without them. Thanks, guys. Finally, I offer my best wishes to Rod Scofield who now takes over the "rains" of leadership for the year 2000. - Jim Moore

(Ed. Jim Moore has offered a few puns in this his final President's Message. For more puns, etc., see Jokes and Puns for Groan-Ups by James T. Moore and Peter R. Chaston, its available from Chaston Scientific, Inc., PO Box 758, Kearney,MO 64060 or e-mail Pete at: CHASTON111@aol.com)

MEMBER NEWS

The American Meteorological Society has voted to award KCCI-TV (Des Moines, IA) Chief Meteorologist John McLaughlin "The Award for Outstanding Service by a Broadcast Meteorologist." John was chosen for "providing outstanding weather service to central Iowa, particularly in the area of severe weather reporting." The award is presented annually to one broadcaster who has made significant contributions to the field of meteorology. The award was presented January 12, 2000 at the AMS annual meeting in Long Beach California. On 20 October 1999, the National Weather Association awarded John McLaughlin its "Member of the Year Award" during the NWA annual meeting in Biloxi, MS. The Des Moines meteorologist was chosen for his "long-term, significant contributions to the NWA on a regional and national level.

The third edition of Terry Lankford's book Weather Reports, Forecasts and Flight Planning has been published by McGraw-Hill. First published in 1990, the book is a pilot's practical guide to interpreting weather information. Terry is co-chair of the NWA Aviation Meteorology Committee.

Corporate member, Baron Services, Inc., will mark its ten-year anniversary on 15 February 2000. It announced that Dr. Gregory S. Wilson has been appointed Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Scientist. Dr. Wilson was previously the Director of the Space Sciences Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

× IN MEMORIAM Ø

COLONEL (Retired) HAZEN HOWARD BEDKE, age 81, passed away December 17, 1999 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born in Basin, Idaho on February 14, 1918 and graduated from the University of Utah earning both B.S. and M.S. degrees. He also attended Scripps Institute of Oceanography for doctoral studies. He served as a military meteorologist during World War II supporting the 14th Air Force in Kunming, China. He continued his illustrious military career in many assignments including commanding the 18th Weather Squadron in Europe and the 4th Weather Group at Andrews AFB, Maryland. In the late 1950s, he was a leader in initiating the placement of staff meteorologists in the major military laboratories and test centers to flag potential weapon systems' environmental vulnerabilities before full production. He also helped lead in the initiation of computer flight plans and other numerical weather prediction products for the US Air Force. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel, and returned to Salt Lake City to join the US Department of Commerce/NOAA as the Director of the Western Region of the National Weather Service. His achievements as a long-term public servant were many and were recognized with numerous awards, culminating in the highest civilian award, the Presidential Rank Award. He enjoyed a love for family, and anything mathematical, including card playing, as any of his bridge and poker friends would know. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Jane Andrews; daughters Carolyn Coulam, Suzanne Bedke, Janelle Bedke, Rosalin Bedke; sister, Marian Hoke; and 15 grandchildren. Hazen will be deeply missed by all of his friends and family. His wisdom, humor, and leadership were appreciated by all who knew him.

Memorials can be sent to the Bedke Scholarship Fund at the University of Utah. Send contributions to: Department of Meteorology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.

National Weather Association’s

25^th Annual Meeting

October 14-20, 2000

Call for Papers

The National Weather Association’s 25^th Annual Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Silver Spring Conference Center, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. The theme will be "Celebrating 25 Years of Success in the NWA". This meeting will afford us the special opportunity to look back at the last 25 years and reflect on the tremendous successes and improvements, which have occurred in operational meteorology and related activities since the founding of the NWA in 1975.

In addition to the traditional program of oral presentations, posters, and keynote addresses, special presentations will highlight advances in various aspects of operational meteorology such as severe weather and winter weather forecasting, satellite meteorology, numerical weather prediction, radar, broadcasting, and hydrology. Other commemorative events marking the NWA’s 25^th anniversary will include special speakers and a unique awards ceremony for those individuals who have had the greatest impact on the NWA and operational meteorology over the past quarter century.

The Annual Meeting will include:

14 – 15 October: WEATHER BROADCASTER WORKSHOPS beginning late Saturday and continuing on Sunday (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM) will include special presentations, exhibits and hands-on workshops appropriate to continuing education for weathercasters, but open to all interested. Tape Swap Sunday evening.

16 – 20 October: ANNUAL MEETING GENERAL SESSIONS from Monday morning through noon on Friday will include a wide variety of topics relating to OPERATIONAL meteorology, hydrology, weather broadcasting, new research applications, and related activities. The program will be a mix of formal presentations, poster sessions, training workshops, exhibits and tours. An Annual Awards Luncheon will be on Tuesday, with a special 25^th Anniversary Banquet on Wednesday evening.

The Annual Meeting Coordinator is Steve Harned, National Weather Service Forecast Office, Raleigh, NC, (919) 515-8209, ext. 222, Stephen.Harned@noaa.gov. The Program Chairperson is Gail Hartfield, National Weather Service Forecast Office, Raleigh, NC, (919) 515-8209, ext. 420, Gail.Hartfield@noaa.gov.

Members wishing to assist with the 25th Anniversary events, please contact Steve Harned.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: The deadline for submission of abstracts is June 1^st, 2000. Abstracts can be sent via electronic mail to the Program Chairperson at Gail.Hartfield@noaa.gov. Please write "NWA Abstract" in the subject box. The abstract may be included within the body of the e-mail or as an attachment.

Please include the following information in the e-mail correspondence: full abstract title, author(s) and affiliation(s)/address(es) [designate which author(s) will be giving the presentation and whether poster or oral presentation is preferred], audio/visual requirements including software (e.g., PowerPoint, Corel, Internet access) and equipment (e.g., laptop PC, overhead projector), and list the primary contact with their e-mail address.

Abstracts may also be sent via an Internet online form located at www.nwas.org/2000abstracts.html. Simply fill out the form in its entirety (you may cut-and-paste your abstract from your word processor into the form), and click on the "Submit Query" button at the bottom of the form.

If you will be unable to submit your abstract via e-mail or the online form, please contact Gail Hartfield.

For information on exhibits, accommodations, registration and the overall meeting program, please contact the NWA office at Tel/FAX: (334) 213-0388 or e-mail: NatWeaAsoc@aol.com. The meeting agenda will be posted on this NWA home page in August 2000 and printed in the NWA Newsletter.

HOTEL INFORMATION: The main conference hotel will be the Holiday Inn, 8777 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD. A block of rooms has been reserved at discount rates: $115.00 single/double, $99.00 for seniors (65 and older). To reserve a room, please call the hotel direct at (301) 589-0800 and mention "NWA Annual Meeting 2000." Make your reservations before 23 September 2000

A small block of rooms has also been reserved at the Town Center Hotel, 8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD. Discount rates are: $75.00 single/double, $59 for seniors (65 and older). To reserve a room, please call the hotel direct at (301) 589-5200 and mention "NWA Annual Meeting 2000." Make reservations before 23 September. The Annual Meeting banquet on Wednesday evening is scheduled for the Town Center Hotel since it has the largest ballroom.

Both hotels are owned by Lodgian, Inc., both are near the NWS Headquarters building and about three blocks from the Silver Spring Metro (red line). The hotels are approximately 14 miles from the Ronald Reagan National Airport, 16 miles from Dulles International Airport and 25 miles from B.W.I. Airport.

Additional information will be available in later Newsletters and on this NWA Web site. (www.nwas.org).

NWA REMOTE SENSING COLUMN

New Satellites Launched:

On 18 December 1999, NASA successfully launched its Terra (formerly known as EOS-AM-1) spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Terra is considered the "flagship" of the Earth Observing System series of satellites to study clouds, water vapor aerosols, and land surface and oceanic properties. Instruments onboard include: the Multiple-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy Systems (CERES), Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS), Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT), and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). The first images are expected in late January. For further information on Terra's mission and its science, see Web sites terra.nasa.gov and earthobservatory.nasa.gov.

Six days earlier, the latest in the series of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) polar-orbiting satellites, F15, was also launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base. All systems are operating nominally and operations should begin January 24th.

GOES L launch scheduled: GOES L, the next in the geostationary series is scheduled for launch on May 3rd.

Japan's MTSAT: The newest of Japan's geostationary satellite series, Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT), unfortunately failed to achieve orbit on November 15, 1999 after the first stage engine shut down prematurely. MTSAT contained the replacement for the current operational Japanese Weather satellite GMS-5 and a payload to provide aeronautical navigation services for the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. MTSAT was the first of a new generation of three-axis stabilized spacecraft that would provide vastly improved imaging capabilities for the Japanese Meteorological Agency. At the time of launch, a second MTSAT had not been contracted for; it was scheduled for launch in 2004. GMS-5, launched in March 1995, is still operational. It is positioned at 140E and provides critical coverage of the western and central Pacific Ocean areas.

GOES Products and Services Catalog Online: The 2nd edition of the GOES Products and Services Catalog has been completed and placed on-line. The catalog includes a brief description of the product, an example of the product, references for further reading and a link to the real-time product. All future upgrades to the catalog will be to the Web page:

http://orbit-net.nesdis.noaa.gov/arad/fpdt/goescat/index.html.

Committee members needed: In 1997, this NWA committee was renamed and given a charter to expand its purview from just satellite remote sensing to all remote sensing issues including profilers, automated observing systems, aircraft remote sensing, etc. We have the opportunity to broaden and balance the expertise on the committee and are looking for members to cover ASOS, ACARS, and other remote sensing technologies. If you are interested in participating, please send me an e-mail at fholt@nesdis.noaa.gov.

- Frances C. Holt, Remote Sensing Committee Chair

WHAT WAS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE IN OPERATIONAL METEOROLOGY IN THE 20th CENTURY?

An Associated Press national poll stated that America's blast off into space was chosen by most people as the greatest feat of the 20th century. Was the advent of meteorological satellites the greatest advance to operational meteorology?

Dr. Fred W. Decker responded with, "I'd nominate the emergence of air mass and frontal analysis, which put meteorology on a solid scientific basis and replaced the old 'high and low' isobaric relationships. Using very sparse clues, the young men led by V. Bjerknes at Bergen, Norway, during WWI made a true "giant leap" from a blind reliance on fair weather in highs, unsettled in lows, and intensely squally weather in sharp troughs. For the first time the physical processes of cyclones got charted and understood. Those pioneers at Bergen achieved great insight without the benefit of satellite views of cloud systems. Surely that early breakthrough which opened the way for the rapid development of aviation meteorology deserves the trophy!"

Clay Anderson e-mailed, "I believe the most significant advance in operational meteorology was the WSR-88D … for obvious reasons."

Lowell Krawitz wrote, "Just wanted to note that in my opinion, the most significant advance in operational meteorology in the 20th Century was the advent of the time-lapse imagery from geostationary satellites. Having them available in the visible, infrared and water-vapor spectra has been a tremendous advance."

A number of members mentioned that the vast improvements in communications and computer resources should also be recognized. Data is now rapidly getting to the operational meteorologists. Forecasts and warnings are being prepared more quickly and, in turn, disseminated to the public and specialized users instantly through numerous media outlets. It is almost hard to believe that radio capabilities were just being invented as the 20th Century began. Lee De Forest, "the Father of Radio," originated radio news broadcasts in 1916. The world's first radio broadcasting station went on the air 2 November 1920 to give results of the Harding-Cox election. Westinghouse engineer Frank Conrad set up KDKA at East Pittsburgh but at that time only about 5,000 Americans had radio receivers, mostly "cats-whisker" crystal sets. At the end of the 20th Century, weather warnings can be received on individual pagers. Send in your choice to our Newsletter Editors or the NWA office.

COASTAL MARINE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT - Allison Thomson, NOAA/NOS/CSDL

During February and March 2000, mariners traveling through the Chesapeake Bay and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean waters will, for the first time, will have access to unique analyses and forecasts designed specifically to make their trip smoother. Through the second phase of the Coastal Marine Demonstration Project (CMDP), high-resolution forecasts of surface winds, currents, wave heights, and water levels are available to anyone with an Internet connection.

During the initial demonstration period in summer 1999, these forecasts proved very helpful to weather forecasters and mariners in the Chesapeake Bay. Using analysis and forecast models of winds down to a 4 kilometer resolution, the CMDP was able to accurately predict local features such as bay breezes and pop-up thunderstorms near the Chesapeake Bay. "This is an awesome site that puts numerous critical weather products at the finger tips of Search and Rescue Controllers," commented one user, Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Mark Rizzo.

In addition to improving local atmospheric weather forecasting for the demonstration area, the CMDP strives to provide high resolution forecasts for oceanographic parameters, such as water levels, currents, and temperature. Accurate forecasts of water levels can make a crucial difference to the transits of large commercial ships, helping them avoid grounding by providing detailed information on when shallow areas are safe to pass through. In addition to mariners concerned about their route of travel, CMDP products are used and evaluated by National Weather Service forecasters at offices in Sterling VA, Wakefield VA, and the Marine Prediction Center at the NWS/National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), who found that the unique forecasts often provided valuable information for their official weather forecasts.

For this second demonstration period, CMDP will expand both the forecast products available, and the user base in order to continue improving weather and water forecast information for the Chesapeake Bay community. A new high-resolution wave model and a three-dimensional finite element model to forecast currents, salinity and sea surface temperature within the Chesapeake Bay will both be implemented. And, in addition to NOAA weather forecasters and commercial, military, and recreational mariners, the products will be used and evaluated by commercial weather forecasters at WBOC TV, a local station in Salisbury, Maryland and by commercial fishers.

"The CMDP has brought together operational and research meteorologists and oceanographers to demonstrate the best available methods for predicting the marine environment," commented Dr. Leonard Walstad of the University of Maryland, the project leader. This broad alliance receives funding from the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) to connect university, government and industry efforts. The University of Maryland Horn Point Laboratory, Princeton University and the University of Rhode Island are working with Litton’s TASC Inc. and Weather Services International (WSI) along with all five line offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Coast Guard and the US Navy. During February and March 2000, an experimental estuary forecast center at NOAAs’ Coast Survey Development Laboratory in Silver Spring, MD will monitor daily production and provide analyses of the experimental Bay products. The Bay forecasts, along with coastal ocean products from the NWS’ NCEP, will then be displayed on a Web site maintained by Litton-WSI at cmdp.wsicorp.com. Interested persons are encouraged to view and comment on the products.

MEETINGS OF INTEREST

• The 25th Annual Northeastern Storm Conference will be held Friday, 10 March through Sunday, 12 March 2000 at the Holiday Inn in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York. It is sponsored by the Lyndon State College Chapter of the AMS and NWA. Jack Williams, author of the USA Today Weather Book, and Editor for the USA Today weather page will be the banquet speaker. All interested parties are invited to share their research at this conference. The deadline for abstracts is past due. The registration deadline is Friday, 18 February 2000. For further information about registration, accommodations, or presentation submissions, please contact: Josh Nichols, President of LSC-AMS/NWA, Lyndon State College, Box 7167, Lyndonville, VT 05851-0919; (802) 626-6535; Fax: (802) 626-9770; e-mail: AMS@apollo.lsc.vsc.edu; See Internet Web site: http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/ams/ams.html

• The Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference 2000, sponsored by the Central Iowa NWA Chapter will be held at the University Park Holiday Inn, West Des Moines, Iowa from Friday, 31 March at noon until Sunday, 2 April at noon. Oral presentations will be presented by invited speakers in several fields, including meteorology, emergency management and the media. Special sessions and training workshops will allow conference attendees to enhance their knowledge in a number of areas. The deadline for abstracts is past due. For information on registering for the conference, refer to the Central Iowa NWA Web site: http://www.iowa-nwa.com or e-mail: bryankcci@aol.com.

• 22nd Annual National Hurricane Conference, will be held 17-21 April 2000 at the Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, LA. This annual conference will feature workshops covering major aspects of hurricane forecasting, preparedness, response and recovery. Please make hotel arrangements directly with the Hyatt Regency at (504) 561-1234 before 16 May 2000. Register for the conference at a discount rate prior to 1 March 2000 by calling (850) 906-9224 or by visiting the conference Web site at: http://www.nettally.com/nhc