NASA Funded Scientists to Present Findings at Annual AMS Meeting

NASA and NASA-funded scientists will present findings from their latest research at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS). The meeting will take place Jan. 9 through 13 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Building the Earth Information System” and the role that science can play in decision-making for society.

CALIFORNIA TEMPERATURE TREND PATTERNS

Adding to the debate over what contributes the most to regional temperature changes, a new study investigates air temperature patterns in Calif. from 1950-2000. Highly urban areas show the largest warming trends, while rural, non-agricultural regions show the least warming. Pacific sea surface temperatures, particularly the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), also contribute to temperature variability throughout the state. Bill Patzert of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., and co-authors, will present a poster titled, “Recent California climate variability: Spatial and temporal temperature trend patterns,” during Poster Session 1, Poster Session: Climate Assessments, Drought, and Observed Climate Change. The presentation will take place on Monday, Jan. 10, 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PT). Please see program guide for poster session location.

USING LIGHTNING TO BETTER PREDICT STORMS

This research looks at how lightning measurements might best be used to improve short-term (0-24 hour) weather forecasting. The researchers examine recently developed strategies for integrating lightning data into short-term forecasts of convective and severe weather hazards and the assimilation of lightning data into numerical weather prediction models. Steven Goodman of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will make a presentation titled, “Lightning and its Application to Improving Short-Range Forecasting,” as part of session 6, Application of lightning data in atmospheric process studies 1: Assimilation and forecasting. The presentation will occur on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. PT), in Meeting Room 2.

SAHARAN DUST AFFECTS THUNDERSTORM BEHAVIOR IN FLORIDA

Scientists have discovered that tiny particles of dust that blow across the Atlantic Ocean from the Saharan desert can affect thunderstorms in Florida in various ways. In session 5, part of the 16th Conference on Planned and Inadvertent Weather Modification, Susan C. van den Heever of Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. will make a presentation titled, “The impacts of Saharan Dust on Florida storm characteristics.” The presentation will occur on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT), in Meeting Room 7A.

WILLIAM B. ROSSOW HONORED BY AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY

William B. Rossow, scientist at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, has won the 2005 Verner E. Suomi Award given by the AMS, the nation’s leading professional society for scientists in the atmospheric and related sciences. Rossow has also been selected as a Fellow of the AMS and is being recognized “for tireless efforts using multi-satellite observations to study clouds and their role in radiation and climate.” The Suomi is awarded to individuals in recognition of highly significant technological achievement in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. The award will be presented at the Awards Banquet on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT), in Ballroom 6.

LAND SURFACE ALBEDO AND ITS IMPACTS ON SURFACE CLIMATE

Sixteen remote sensing and climate modeling scientists will present the most recent research concerning albedo, which involves the ability of surfaces and objects to absorb or reflect solar radiation. Albedo from snow, vegetation and urban areas are all very important factors in climate change. On the subject of albedo, the scientists will discuss current observations from different landscapes, global and seasonal variations, affects on land climate, and computer modeling. Session 5, part of the 19th Conference on Hydrology, is titled “Land Surface Albedo and Its Impacts on Surface Climate.” It will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET (8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT), in Meeting Room 6D.

For more information and images about this research, please visit on the Internet:

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/ams_2005.html