NOAA Research Matters

NOAA provides environmental services that protect lives, and property, and our data and services contribute to industries that account for a third of the nation"s Gross Domestic Product. NOAA services touch many people every day, and NOAA research is critical to improving those services. Listen in and learn how our scientists are answering some of the important Earth science questions of our time.

Our podcasts are short reports on science and research carried out within NOAA Research programs. You can listen to or watch these audio and video files by clicking on the link or downloading the files to your desktop, laptop or other mobile device capable of playing them. You can also SUBSCRIBE to NOAA Research PODCASTS to receive new content automatically. Let us know what you think about our podcasts.

	AUDIO
	What the Upper Atmosphere Reveals about Climate In this five-part series, we're taking a look at what NOAA scientists have learned about climate through decades of study on the upper atmosphere. To do this topic justice, we have interviewed three NOAA scientists about pioneering research on trends and phenomena that take place in the atmosphere miles above our tallest skyscrapers. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
	Flash Flood Safety at Home When you hear the word "water", you may think of swimming pools or weekends at the lake. You might even think of a long rainy day. But that seemingly harmless rain water can become so dangerous that it kills more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes and lightning. We call this a flash flood. Rachel Forsyth, NOAA Weather Partners in Norman, Oklahoma LISTEN TO THE PODCAST March 2010 RUNTIME 1:28
	Flash Flood Safety in a Car It"s raining. Your windshield wipers give you a faint glimpse of the road ahead. You approach a section of the road covered with water. It doesn"t appear to be very deep. The truck in front of you makes it through. What should you do, drive through the water or turn around? Rachel Forsyth, NOAA Weather Partners in Norman, Oklahoma LISTEN TO THE PODCAST March 2010 RUNTIME 1:41
	Interview with Dr. Hank Vanderploeg, Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab The following podcast talks about a scientist who works with the Great lake environmental research and lab and out in the field, finding answers to Michigan"s problems. Dr. Hank Vanderploeg talks about how he works with GLERL to find out how the invasive species in the lakes affect the marine life. Interviewed by Aaron Hunter and Konrad Kasparschuster. Dr. Hank Vanderploeg, Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab LISTEN TO THE PODCAST January 2010 RUNTIME 4:16 TRANSCRIPT
	Abrupt Climate Change Science: A conversation with Thomas Delworth NOAA GFDL climate researcher Tom Delworth talks about the science of Abrupt Climate Change and discusses a US Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) report on the topic that he helped author. Tom Delworth, Research Scientist and Group Leader in the Climate Change, Variability and Prediction Group at NOAA"s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) LISTEN TO THE PODCAST March 2009 RUNTIME 13:04 TRANSCRIPT
	NOAA Dives into Ocean in Google Earth Visitors to a new element of a popular online Earth exploration tool will discover an abundance of NOAA information and images during their journey. Google Earth today unveiled Ocean in Google Earth, a new way for online explorers to dive into the ocean"s depths. The launch of Ocean in Google Earth took place in San Francisco. Dr. Richard W. Spinrad, Assistant Administrator, NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research LISTEN TO THE PODCAST FEBRUARY 2, 2009 RUNTIME 2:19 TRANSCRIPT
	Research in NOAA Dr. Alexander "Sandy" MacDonald discusses the role of NOAA and NOAA Research, fostering preeminent research, providing value to society, and communicating science to the public. Dr. Alexander "Sandy" MacDonald, NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator, Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes, and Director, Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, CO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST JUNE 22, 2007 RUNTIME 10:31 TRANSCRIPT
	Environmental Teaching Activity Author Beverly L. Meier discusses a series of environmental teaching activities designed to interrelate various subjects and help gain an insight into how these subjects can be used in "real life" situations while practicing "thinking" and "reasoning" (brain tools) skills. Designed for teachers, the POET Program - Protect Our Environmental Treasures - is designed to be self-contained, requiring little extra effort beyond gathering materials. The science topics covered include Earth modeling, weather, global warming, and the carbon cycle. POET author and long-time teacher of the Boulder Valley School District, Colorado. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST August 15, 2008 RUNTIME 5:18 TRANSCRIPT
	Tornado Research Research Meteorologist Dr. Harold Brooks discusses tornado research conducted by the National Severe Storms Laboratory. Research Meteorologist Dr. Harold Brooks, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK Section 1 - Harold discusses how we get tornadoes (3:53) Section 2 - Harold discusses tornado alley and the Enhanced Fujita Scale for estimating a tornado"s intensity (4:09) Section 3 - Harold discusses what we know and don"t know about tornadoes (3:27) Section 4 - Harold discusses his career and the prospects for people interested in careers in the atmospheric sciences (4:32) LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOVEMBER 8, 2007 RUNTIME 16:03 TRANSCRIPT
	Estimating Precipitation and Improving Flash Flood Forecasting with Radar Kevin Kelleher, Deputy Director of the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and Dr. Suzanne Van Cooten, Research Hydrometeorologist at NSSL, discuss using radar to estimate precipitation and improving flash flood forecasting. Deputy Director Kevin Kelleher, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK Dr. Suzanne Van Cooten, Research Hydrometeorologist, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK Section 1 - Kevin discusses research in using radar to estimate precipitaton (2:44) Section 2 - Suzanne discusses research on flash flood forecasting and a demonstration project in the southeast United States (6:14) Section 3 - Research on debris flow and mudslides (1:51) Section 4 - Suzanne discusses how NSSL"s research benefits forecasters (2:08) Section 5 - Kevin discusses his career path (4:08) Section 6 - Suzanne discusses her career path (5:32) LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOVEMBER 8, 2007 RUNTIME 23.01 TRANSCRIPT
	Improving Forecasts of Severe Storms Chief of Forecast Research and Development Dr. David Stensrud discusses severe weather modeling and improving forecasts of severe weather events. Chief of Forecast Research and Development, Dr. David Stensrud, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK Section 1 - Research focused on improving forecasts and warnings for severe weather (4:55) Section 2 - How radar data are used in models (1:25) Section 3 - Hazardous Weather Testbed collaborative research effort (1:58) Section 4 - The goal of forecast and warning research (1:10) Section 5 - Dave discusses his career path (2:56) LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOVEMBER 8, 2007 RUNTIME 12:27 TRANSCRIPT
	Radar Research National Severe Storms Laboratory Chief of Radar Research and Development Doug Forsyth discusses aspects of radar research and what"s in store for the next generation of weather radar. Chief of Radar Research and Development ,Doug Forsyth, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK Section 1 - Doug discusses the types of radar research done at NSSL (5:43) Section 2 - Doug discusses the transition of research to operations for new radar applications (3:11) Section 3 - Doug discusses Doppler radar and new radar technologies being researched and how they compare (8:39) Section 4 - Doug discusses the advantages of collaborative radar research (3:24) Section 5 - Doug discusses his career and his advice for people considering a career in the atmospheric sciences (6:09) LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOVEMBER 8, 2007 RUNTIME 27:08 TRANSCRIPT
	The Challenges of Modeling Climate Change and Variability Research Meteorologist Keith W. Dixon discusses the role of GFDL in climate modeling, what a model is, and how researchers work to improve models. Keith W. Dixon, Research Meteorologist, GFDL, Princeton, NJ Section 1 - Introduction, what is a climate model (03:54) Section 2 - How do you improve climate models (02:44) Section 3 - Role of GFDL in development of climate modeling (01:38) Section 4 - His career choice, and thoughts on careers in science (03:47) LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE PODCAST JULY 18, 2007 TOTAL RUNTIME 12:12 TRANSCRIPT
	The Interaction of Oceans and Climate Oceanographer Dr. Anand Gnanadesikan discusses how oceans and climate interact, the challenges of modeling the two, what we don"t know yet, and the most significant impact of climate change on the oceans. Dr. Anand Gnanadesikan, Oceanographer, GFDL, Princeton, NJ Section 1 - Introduction and discussion of how the ocean affects climate (03:56) Section 2 - How climate affects the ocean (02:07) Section 3 - What we don"t know about the ocean-climate relationship (02:54) Section 4 - The Ocean-Carbon Cycle (02:12) Section 5 - The most significant impact of climate change on the ocean (02:27) Section 6 - His career choice, and thoughts on careers in science (05:31) LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE PODCAST JULY 17, 2007 TOTAL RUNTIME 19:20 TRANSCRIPT
	The GFDL Hurricane Model Research Meteorologist Morris Bender discusses how the GFDL Hurricane Model began, the collaborative effort behind the model, the future of hurricane modeling, and discusses careers in the field. Morris Bender, Research Meteorologist, GFDL, Princeton, NJ Section 1 - Introduction and discussion of the development of the GFDL Hurricane Model (03:46) Section 2 - The collaborative process in development of the GFDL Hurricane Model (03:32) Section 3 - The future of hurricane modeling and careers in the field (02:54) LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE PODCAST JULY 18, 2007 TOTAL RUNTIME 13:34 TRANSCRIPT
	Global Warming, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Physical Scientist Ron Stouffer discusses the evidence for global warming, his role with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and careers in climate research. Ron Stouffer, Physical Scientist, GFDL, Princeton, NJ Section 1 - Introduction and discussion of the evidence for Global Warming (03:51) Section 2 - The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and NOAA"s role with the IPCC (05:32) Section 3 - His career choice and careers in climate research (04:40) LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE PODCAST JULY 18, 2007 TOTAL RUNTIME 14:22 TRANSCRIPT
	Climate and Hydrologic Research US Geological Survey Hydrologist Chris Milly discusses his role at GFDL, human influences on water availability, and careers in science. Chris Milly, US Geological Survey Hydrologist assigned to GFDL, Princeton, NJ Section 1 - Introduction and discussion of why a USGS hydrologist is positioned with GFDL (01:59) Section 2 - Human influences on water availability (03:23) Section 3 - How he"s using the GFDL climate model for making water availability projections (01:21) Section 4 - Projections for changes in water availability (01:55) Section 5 - His career choice and careers in science (02:39) LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE PODCAST JULY 18, 2007 TOTAL RUNTIME 11:22 TRANSCRIPT

	VIDEO
	Five Years after the Indian Ocean Tsunami: Are You Safe? After the December 2004 massive Indian Ocean tsunami generated by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, NOAA led the U.S. effort to build a more comprehensive tsunami warning system. Dr. Eddie Bernard, Director, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, discusses tsunami forecasting and the development of a tsunami warning network. Michael Coniglio and Pamela Heinselman, NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla. WATCH THE VIDEO December 9, 2009 RUNTIME 2:16
	Two NOAA Scientists to Receive Presidential Award Research scientists studying improvements in tornado forecasting and new radar systems at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla., Michael C. Coniglio and Pamela L. Heinselman, were named as recipients of the 2008 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers. Michael Coniglio and Pamela Heinselman, NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla. WATCH THE VIDEO August 2009 RUNTIME 6:33
	Patterns of Greenhouse Warming Take-Home Points: The increase of surface air temperatures in response to increasing greenhouse gas levels will not be geographically uniform. Computer models indicate that 21st Century warming will occur more rapidly over continents than over oceans. The largest warming is expected to occur during the winter months in northern North America and northcentral Asia. WATCH THE VIDEO JUNE 2009 RUNTIME 2:11 TRANSCRIPT
	The Shrinking Arctic Ice Cap Take-Home Points: Arctic sea ice is projected to decline dramatically over the 21st century, with little late summer sea ice remaining by the year 2100. The simulated 21st century Arctic sea ice decline is not smooth, but contains periods of large and small changes. The Arctic region"s surface air temperature is projected to warm at a rate about twice as fast as the global average. WATCH THE VIDEO JUNE 2009 RUNTIME 2:24 TRANSCRIPT
	Climate Modeling 101: Grid Resolution - how detailed is the climate model picture? State-of-the-art global climate models divide our planet"s atmosphere, ocean, land surface, and sea ice into millions of boxes. Higher spatial resolution - in other words, having smaller and more numerous boxes - allows a model to produce a more detailed simulation of the climate. But higher resolution comes at a price. Having more boxes mean more calculations need to be done, which means more computer power is needed. In this video, we discuss the costs and benefits of higher spatial resolution, illustrating some key points with colorful animations from GFDL"s newest high resolution global climate model. WATCH THE VIDEO MARCH 2009 RUNTIME 9:24 TRANSCRIPT
	DART Buoys: From the Drawing Board to the Deep Seas NOAA"s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory has been a World leader in tsunami research for decades. Chris Meinig, Director of Engineering, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, discusses his experiences in research and development and the advantages to conduction research in a Federal government laboratory. Chris Meinig, Director of Engineering, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Seattle, WA WATCH THE VIDEO DECEMBER 11, 2007 RUNTIME 1:53 TRANSCRIPT
	NOAA Research: Where Service Begins In a presentation to young people beginning summer internships with NOAA, Dr. Richard Spinrad discusses how NOAA Research makes important contributions to peoples" lives. Dr. Richard W. Spinrad, CMarSci, Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research WATCH THE VIDEO JUNE 2007 RUNTIME 13:05 TRANSCRIPT
	NOAA Research Laboratories Dr. Alexander "Sandy" MacDonald provides new NOAA summer interns an introduction to the services provided by NOAA Research Laboratories. Dr. Alexander "Sandy" MacDonald, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes WATCH THE VIDEO JUNE 2007 RUNTIME 11:20 TRANSCRIPT

NOAA Research Matters

AUDIO

VIDEO