Almost 300 participants from 10 countries traveled to this year’s Science Team Meeting held March 14-18, 2005, at the Hilton in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dr. Wanda Ferrell, ARM Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), opened the plenary session on March 15 with statements regarding the Program’s accomplishments since the 2004 Science Team Meeting. In particular, Dr. Ferrell highlighted the completion of the ARM Mobile Facility, a successful infrastructure review, and the award of funding to nine new principal investigators. She also delivered the happy news of a proposed increase to the ARM science budget for 2006—the first increase in 10 years.

“An increase in the science budget is a reflection of the positive view that the Office of Science and the Office of Management and Budget have for the ARM Program,” said Dr. Ferrell.

Following Dr. Ferrell’s address, Dr. Tom Ackerman, ARM Chief Scientist, recapped his 6-year tenure with the ARM Program by comparing his first state-of-ARM presentation to the current state-of-ARM. Notable advances made during his tenure include the establishment of an ARM site in the Tropical Western Pacific locale; testing of ARM parameterizations in climate and weather prediction models; development of stronger connections with the international atmospheric community; and publication of a new Science Plan to guide ARM into the next five years.

Next year’s meeting is heading back to the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 27-31, 2006.