NOAA EXPERTS SHARE SCIENCE AND POLICIES
AT NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL MEETING IN SEATTLE

NOAA leaders will discuss organizational policies and researchers will share their latest findings on a variety of climate and weather-related topics during the American Meteorological Society (AMS) 84th Annual Meeting, Sunday through Thursday, Jan. 11-15. All activities take place at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle. The American Meteorological Society is the nation’s premier scientific society for those involved in the atmospheric and related sciences.

NOAA / National Weather Service Presentations
NOAA Deputy Under Secretary Jack Kelly will give a speech that gives updates to the Integrated Earth Observing System to participants in the Eighth Symposium on Integrated Observing and Assimilation Systems for Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land Surface, 5:00 t0 5:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12 in room 6A.

DUS Kelly will talk about NOAA’s Space Weather Program and serving the public’s needs at the Symposium on Space Weather, 8:30 to 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13 in room 617.

NWS Deputy Director John Jones will present “Working Together to Save Lives,” an overview of National Weather Service accomplishments and its future to the Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems, 1:30 to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, in Room 6B.

NWS Office of Science and Technology Director Jack Hayes will present the Science and Technology Infusion Plan which defines strategies, objectives and programs of the NWS to meet operational requirements and exploit scientific opportunities, 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Room 613/614.

Climate Reference Network
NOAA officials will hold a press briefing to announce the operational start of a new monitoring network at 11 a.m. PST on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Room 306. The U.S. Climate Reference Network is designed to provide new data points that better track climate change and variability, and help America’s decision-makers shape policies that are affected by changes in climate. NOAA officials attending will be Gregory W. Withee, assistant administrator, NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service; Thomas Karl, director, NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center; and Chet Koblinsky, director, NOAA Climate Office.

Space Weather
NOAA Space Environment Center director Ernie Hildner will participate in a press briefing on Space Weather, along with NASA and National Science Foundation partners, at 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Room 306.

NOAA Research Special Session
NOAA is one of the nation's leading atmospheric and related sciences research organizations. Information about NOAA Research initiatives will be presented at a special brown bag lunch session at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14.

2003 Annual Weather Review
NOAA officials will be featured speakers providing a look back at the weather-related news from last year during the AMS review of the major weather events including the fire weather, tornado and hurricane seasons. The review will also cover flash flooding events and winter storms.

Scientific Sessions
Throughout the conference, NOAA researchers and forecasters will present numerous scientific presentations on subjects related to the atmospheric and related sciences - space weather, drought, flash floods, 2003 weather highlights, climate change, aviation weather, wildfires, El Niño, meteorological history, heat and health issues, and weather and national security.

WeatherFest
The AMS 3rd Annual Weather Fest will take place from 12 noon until 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 11. WeatherFest is a free, public science and weather day geared toward the general public and greater Seattle community. The four-hour science fair will feature 48 exhibits including hands-on demonstrations, videos, and much more. Many activities are geared to students (pre-school through high school) and the public who’s interested in how weather impacts their lives every day. Drawings for books, weather radios, weather stations, T-shirts and much more.

NOAA National Weather Service Partnership Policy
NWS Strategic Planning and Policy Director Ed Johnson will conduct media interviews on the agency’s public/private partnership draft policy from 9-10 a.m., Jan. 12 in the Press Room.

50th Anniversary of Numerical Weather Prediction
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction Director Louis Uccellini will lead a cake cutting celebration of this achievement and discuss what it means to the weather, water, and climate communities at 6 p.m. PST Monday, Jan. 12, at the NOAA booth in the AMS Exhibit Hall.

AMS Press Room
The AMS will operate a press room from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Jan. 12-15, in Room 400 in the North Wing of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, (206) 219-4730;(206) 219-4734 fax. Press releases available in the room are also on the AMS Web site http://www.ametsoc.org. A separate interview room is also available.

Media must register in the press room before conducting interviews with AMS participants.

NOAA's National Weather Service (NOAA Weather Service) is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

American Meteorological Society: http://www.ametsoc.org