Challenges in Urban Meteorology A Forum for Users and Providers September 21-23, 2004 Dr. Sharon LeDuc, Deputy Director National Climatic Data Center NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

Weather and climate sensitive industries account for more that 1/3 of the Nation’s GDP or $3 trillion -Often, this sensitivity is related to urban areas -Better understanding of the linkages is key to enhancing benefits to society

Urban Economic Impact Examples Hurricanes: Wildfires Ice Storms Heat Waves Blizzards Air Traffic Delays Construction/Building Safety Air Pollution/Haze

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Hurricane Isabel – September 2003 Urban Economic Impacts DC Metro Area Impacts Two million lost riders to the Metro –$2.6 million loss revenue 530,000 lost electric customers –$40 million loss revenue Two days of lost employment –2.8 million employees affected –$632.8 million in revenue loss. Source: Economic Statistics for NOAA, April 2004–Third Edition NOAA Data Used GOES Image -Used to track/ predict storm movement & strength Rainfall estimates -Used to assess post flood damages

Ice Storms – 1990s Urban Economic Impacts Northeast and Southeast U.S. Impacts Costliest ice storms in U.S. history – Northeast U.S. Jan > $1.4 billion damages – Southeast U.S. in Feb > $3 billion damages Source: Economic Statistics for NOAA, April 2004–Third Edition NOAA Data Used Freezing Rain/Ice Storm CDROM -# days/hours with freezing rain -ice storm losses -Used to improve design standards Average # hours of Freezing Rain (ASOS/ 1 st order In-situ network) Freezing Rain and Ice Storms

Wildfires Urban Economic Impacts Oakland, CA Impacts Costliest wildfire of the past forty years –Oakland Firestorm October 1991 $3.5 billion damages 25 deaths Source: Economic Statistics for NOAA, April 2004–Third Edition NOAA Data Used Polar Orbiter Satellite Image – Fires / Smoke in S. California -Used to track/predict fires affecting populated areas

Heat Waves Urban Economic Impacts Many U.S. Cities Impacts Heat Waves result in many deaths usually in urban areas Recent impacts Deaths –2000 SE U.S. 140 –1999 E U.S 502 –1998 TX to NC 200 –1995 Chicago > 500 –1988 central to east U.S. 5-10,000 –1980 central to east U.S. 10,000 Source: Billion Dollar U.S Weather Disasters NOAA Data Used Analysis of the max. temperature at Chicago, IL Used in: - anticipating future heat wave events - monitoring long-term event changes

Blizzards Urban Economic Impacts Many U.S. Cities Impacts Blizzards result in severe urban impacts related to safety and transportation Notable Examples: –March 1993 “Storm of the Century” Eastern seaboard cities Snow 2-4 feet, high winds 270 deaths; $7.6 billion damages –Dec 26, 1947 New York City Snow 25.5 inches; most ever Central Park 27 deaths 30K people labored for 1 week to remove snow; cost $6 million Source: Billion Dollar U.S Weather Disasters NOAA Data Used Snowfall return period statistics analysis Used by: - FEMA for Federal Disaster declarations - Urban budget planning for snow removal

Air Traffic Delays Urban Economic Impacts Impacts Air Traffic Delays –$6 billion is lost in economic efficiencies each year –70% attributed to weather Source: Economic Statistics for NOAA, April 2004–Third Edition NOAA Data Used NEXRAD Level II (Severe Tstorms affecting airports) -Used in avoiding/ understanding severe weather Wind Rose Atlanta, GA -Used in runway orientation

Construction/Building Safety Urban Economic Impacts Impacts Fire Safety –Inefficient heating systems are urban building fire safety risks –Climate data used to design for extreme cold events. Building Design –Climate data used in the design for improving the quality of air which is passed through building ventilation systems NOAA Data Used Engineering Weather Data CDROM (Ventilation/Infiltration load in building design) -Used by architects and engineers in designing fresh air circulation to create “healthy” buildings

Air Pollution/Haze Urban Economic Impacts Impacts Air Pollution –Increase and exacerbate respiratory diseases Haze –Lower visibility affects airline safety NOAA Data Used Visibility chart (probability of no obstruction) -Used in Haze analysis/ forecasting