Coastal Climate: A Web-based Tool Developed by the Southeast Climate Consortium

1. Coastal Climate: A Web-based ToolDeveloped by the Southeast Climate Consortium David Emory Stooksbury, Ph.D. State Climatologist – Georgia Associate Professor Engineering and Atmospheric Sciences The University of Georgia stooks@engr.uga.edu 706-583-0156

2. What can I find at www.coastalclimate.org? • Land and marine data +/- 100 km from coast • North Carolina through Texas • Climate Data and Climatologies by ENSO phase • Hurricane tracks 1851-2006 • By Category and ENSO phase • Hurricane return frequency along coastal segments • By Category and ENSO phase • Sea Bottom and Sea Surface Temperatures • Marine Buoys and Stations Climatologies and Tools • Astronomical Tides • Recreational and Commercial Fishery Information

3. State Climatologists Three Legged Stool of Climate Services - Federal - Regional - State

4. State ClimatoligstsWho are they and what do they do? • Were part of NWS until 1973 • Most states slowly started their own climate program • Usually housed at a major state university (but not always: TN – TVA; SC – DNR; CA – Water Resources)

5. State ClimatologistWho has one and who is it? www.stateclimate.org

6. ARSCO AASC Recognized State Climate Office (AASC American Association of State Climatologists)

7. ARSCO DEFINING THE ROLE OF THE ARSCO IN THE NATIONAL CLIMATE SERVICES PARTNERSHIP September 2000 I. INTRODUCTION The mission of the National Climate Services Partnership is to effectively provide the nation with high-quality, timely, and relevant climate services. The National Climate Services Partnership, comprised of national and regional centers and American Association of State Climatologists (AASC) recognized state climate offices, was created to meet this need.

8. ARSCO The Partnership seeks to meet the following objectives: - Maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the partners - Minimize duplication of services - Streamline climate information delivery

9. ARSCO THE NATIONAL CLIMATE SERVICES PARTNERSHIP Role of National Partner: The National Partner, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), is responsible for the archive, quality control, dissemination, monitoring, and description of global and nationally observed climate data. These data are the source for local, regional, national, and global climate descriptors and summaries produced by NCDC.

10. ARSCO Role of Regional Partner: The Regional Partners, the Regional Climate Centers (RCCs), are responsible for the collection of regionally observed climate data and the application of these data to region-wide problems and issues. Dissemination of climate data and information are targeted to a broad regional audience. The RCCs will also serve end users in those states lacking a state climate office.

11. ARSCO Role of the State Partner: To satisfy the current and growing needs for climate services, climatological expertise must be readily available at the local level. The AASC Recognized State Climate Office has the best understanding of the climate of its state, and the ability and knowledge to provide climate data and information to the user.

12. ARSCO The ARSCO will engage in a variety of activities and services that include one or more of the following: - Coordinate and collect weather observations for the purpose of climate monitoring (UGA runs a 81 station mesonet) - Summarize and disseminate weather and climate information to the user community - Demonstrate to the user community the value of climate information in the decision making process - Perform climate impact assessments and weather event evaluations - Conduct climate research, diagnosis, and projections

13. ARSCO Communication Capabilities: ARSCOs must have adequate access to the Internet in order to connect to data archives at the NCDC, RCCs, and other locations. Multiple pathways for dissemination, e.g., telephone, fax, mail, and e-mail, shall be used and ARSCOs shall maintain Web sites. Information Services: ARSCOs shall have the capability and the willingness to provide data and information to users. ARSCOs are encouraged to charge fees for services in order to cover the cost of filling the users' requests. Research: ARSCOs investigate relationships between climate and human activities that impact their state. Outreach: ARSCOs shall evaluate the needs of the user community regularly, adjusting and developing products and services as required. Outreach activities will include the following: - Education - Climate Products - Awareness - Media Contacts Monitoring and Impact Assessments: ARSCOs monitor current climate conditions, evaluate potential future impacts and place events in historical perspective.

14. ARSCO QUALIFYING STATE INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS The ARSCO in each state shall be hosted by a state entity, preferably an agency in the public services sector. Examples of such state agencies or institutions are: - accredited universities - environmental agency - separate state agency at the Governor's staff level The individual holding the directorship of the ARSCO, usually the State Climatologist, must also be qualified in terms of education and experience. The individual should also have the desire and the "heart" to serve his/her state's need for climatological data and information. The individual should be a willing advocate on behalf of the ARSCO and the other partners. The individual must be able to devote an appropriate amount of time to make the ARSCO successful.

15. ARSCO FINAL WORDS This is a critical time for the establishment of a national, regional, and state partnership for climate services. Public awareness of climate issues is growing with each new "climate event," resulting in an increased demand for climate services at all levels. A strong partnership will provide the foundation and framework for implementing an effective and efficient climate services system.

16. State ClimatologistsWhat do we do? • Varies by state • Most are university professors • Most are part-time

17. What does the GA State Climatologist do? • Associate Professor in Engineering and Atmospheric Sciences • 30% teaching appointment • Atmospheric thermodynamics, atmospheric radiation, coastal meteorology, microclimatology, vector and tensor analysis, advanced fluid mechanics • 20% research appointment • Wind and solar energy • Hydroclimatology • Coastal Climatology • 50% public service • They ask, I find the answer: agriculture, water, astronomy, wildfires, drought, floods, hurricanes, temperature, global warming, Al Gore, weddings, retirement, accident reports, economics, etc. • Special forecasts for state agencies (GEMA) • Co-chair state drought monitoring committee • Faculty Advisor for Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity – “reality check”

18. What we can do for you… • We are state employees, we can talk to Congress and we don’t have to follow NOAA policies • We can help handle work load • Average data request: 20 minutes • Average press contact: 30 minutes • We have climate memory • Many state climatologist have lived in the state for years

19. Something New From the AASC Journal of Service Climatology • A Referred Web-based Journal – Research Papers, Tools (software), High Level Educational Materials (powerpoint) To be Launched in July 2007 at AASC Annual Meeting ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST HAVE A SERVICE COMPONENT www.journalofserviceclimatology Contact the editor: David Emory Stooksbury stooks@engr.uga.edu 706-583-0156

20. We are in this together We have to work together to help each other out

21. Motto of theState Climatologist of Georgia To teach, to enquire, and to serve the people of Georgia.