When: January 27, 2015, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
AND
January 28, 2015, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
SESSION 2: February 24, 2015; details to come
Contact
Bart Merrick
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
(410) 295-3142
bart.merrick@noaa.gov
Virginia Weather and Climate
Workshop Series
SESSION 1: Weather-Ready Hampton Roads
This winter the NOAA Environmental Science Training Center, in partnership with the National Weather Service, Nauticus, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, is offering the 2015 Virginia Weather and Climate Workshop Series. Session 1 is a two-day program that will take place in Norfolk at Nauticus, January 27 and 28, and will focus on weather science, safety, and education.
Session 2 will take place in Gloucester Point at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science on February 24. This session will focus on the science supporting our understanding of climate change and opportunities for incorporating climate change within your education programming.
NOTE: Ideally participants will attend both sessions, but this is not required.
Session 1: Weather-Ready Hampton Roads
Weather affects our daily lives in so many ways. Sometimes the weather makes a day at the beach, on the water, or at the park an absolute joy. And then there are times we are glued to the TV, computer, or phone watching a storm come our way, and preparing for what it may bring.
The Weather-Ready Hampton Roads Workshop will bring weather science professionals and educators together to support a deeper understanding of weather in the region and the many ways it influences our personal and professional lives.
Session 1 Highlights
During this two-day workshop session, we will focus on basic weather concepts, weather safety, the connections between weather and climate, extreme weather events and how weather affects living resources throughout the Hampton Roads region. In addition, we plan to visit the Navy Fleet Weather Station in Norfolk to see their weather operations, and meet the people who are responsible for maritime and aviation weather forecasting.
- Day 1, we will introduce the basics of weather, meteorology, and the forecasting process. We will consider the regional context of weather conditions and how local geography influences weather in Hampton Roads. Hands-on weather-focused activities and demonstrations will be provided.
- Day 2, we will continue our weather-related conversation, with an emphasis on extreme weather events, weather safety, and the relationship between weather and climate. What does it take to be Weather-Ready in the Hampton Roads region when dangerous circumstances arise? More frequent and severe thunderstorms, and the effects of climate and sea-level rise in Virginia will be some of the local topics discussed.
Workshop Goals
Participants will:
- Learn what shapes the weather in Virginia and the Hampton Roads region, including the effects of the Atlantic Ocean and Appalachian Mountains on regional weather patterns;
- Understand the connection between weather and climate, including severe weather;
- Know how to be prepared for severe weather, both personally and professionally;
- Know how weather events may affect natural resources in the Chesapeake Bay (e.g., freshwater flow, storms, etc.);
- Get access to, and knowledge of, high-quality tools, curricula, and hands-on/field-based activities for exploring weather-related issues;
- Know how weather, such as storms, affects living resources in the Chesapeake Bay;
- Have the opportunity for educators and scientists to interact on topics related to weather sciences and education; and
- Learn about citizen science resources and opportunities that program participants can get involved in.
Workshop Format
Session 1 workshops will take place at Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia.
Session 1, Weather-Ready Hampton Roads, is a two-day workshop at Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia. Each day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until approximately 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided for workshop participants. In addition, a limited amount of funding is available for participants traveling more than 60 miles that can be used to pay for one night in a local hotel. Please, call or email us with questions about this option.
If you are interested in participating, or have questions please contact Bart Merrick.
More information on this and other NOAA workshops
Session 2 of this workshop series, Climate Change in Virginia will be held on February 24 at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, Virgina. Mark your calendar now, and look for an email in the near future for more details on how to register.
These workshops are free, and lunch is provided.