“Tropical Cyclone Research: Identifying Gaps and Focusing Research on Operational Needs” March 2 - 5, rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference

Mr. Samuel P. Williamson Federal Coordinator for Meteorology Sponsored and hosted by: The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research 63 rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference “Tropical Cyclone Research: Identifying Gaps and Focusing Research on Operational Needs” Conference Opening

63 rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference The Honorable Rick Baker Mayor of St. Petersburg Welcome / Opening Remarks

Improved services to prevent loss of life and injuries and to reduce the nation’s vulnerability to these devastating storms: Why Are We Here? Hurricane Ike Best TrackHurricane Ike Fcst, Sep 9, 5:00 EDT  Track  Intensity  Structure  Waves  Storm surge  Rainfall -- Observations --

Improved services to prevent loss of life and injuries and to reduce the nation’s vulnerability to these devastating storms: Why Are We Here?  Track  Intensity  Structure  Waves  Storm surge  Rainfall -- Observations --

Review the Nation’s tropical cyclone forecast and warning program from end-to-end –Update the National Hurricane Operations Plan for 2009 Review the 2008 Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) projects, and identify candidates that may be successfully transitioned into operations Review interagency linkages of tropical cyclone research to tropical cyclone forecast and warning center’s operational priorities –(related to 62 nd IHC action item) Build upon tropical cyclone partnership alliances, leveraging agency capabilities to meet the needs of the tropical cyclone forecast and warning centers Conference Objectives

1:10 – 2:50 PM: Panel Discussion - Tropical Cyclone Partnership Alliance: A Senior Leader Perspective Moderator: Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Associate VP for Research and Director, Sasaki Institute, University of Oklahoma Panelists: Dr. Richard Spinrad, Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, NOAA Mr. Robert Winokur, Technical Director, Office of the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy Dr. Jack Kaye, Associate Director for Research, Earth Science Division, NASA Headquarters Colonel Mark Zettlemoyer, Chief, Integration, Plans & Requirements, Directorate of Weather, HQ Air Force RDML David Titley, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Dr. John “Jack” Hayes, Assistant Administrator for Weather Services, NOAA This Afternoon Conference Agenda

Session 1:The 2008 Tropical Cyclone Season in Review 3:30 – 5:15 PM Session Leaders:Dr. Steve Lyons (TWC) and CAPT Grant Cooper (NMFC/JTWC) Reception / Icebreaker: 6:30 - 8:00 PM St. Petersburg Ballroom, Sections 1 and 2 Later This Afternoon and Evening Conference Agenda

7:45 – 8:15 AM: Invited Presentations - Mr Michael Buckley (DHS/FEMA) - Mr. Bill Proenza (NOAA/NWS) 8:15 – 10:00 AM: Workshop/Panel - Session 2: Identifying Tropical Cyclone Research Needs, Progress and Gaps Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Ritchie, Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona Panelists:Dr. Frank Marks, NOAA AOML/HRD Dr. Scott Braun, NASA/GSFC Dr. Brad Smull, NSF Dr. Rob Rogers, NOAA AOML/HRD Dr. Ron Ferek, ONR CAPT Mike Angove, Navy Tuesday Morning Conference Agenda

5:45 - 7:45 PM Poster Session Tuesday Evening

Banquet Address: Vice Admiral Roger T. Rufe, Jr., USCG (Ret.) Director, Operations Coordination & Planning, DHS Presentation of the Hagemeyer Award Cash Bar Open: 6:30 PM Banquet Starts: 7:00 PM Banquet Address: ~ 7:45 PM Wednesday Evening – Conference Banquet Conference Agenda

WG/HWSOR: Action Item Review Dr. Edward Rappaport (NHC) (Chairperson, WG/HWSOR) Workshop Wrap-up: Identifying Tropical Cyclone Research Needs, Progress and Gaps Dr. Frank Marks (NOAA AOML/HRD) Dr. Ron Ferek (ONR) Final Wrap-up Mr. Samuel P. Williamson, Federal Coordinator Thursday Afternoon – Final Plenary Session Conference Agenda 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Conference Logistics Conference Coordinator and Technical Director Mr. Mark Welshinger Media Coordinator Mr. Mike Babcock Lt Col Sabrina Taijeron Assistant Coordinators for Conference Arrangements Ms. Erin McNamara Ms. Christina Bork Audiovisual Specialists Mr. Ken Barnett Mr. Tony Ramirez Registrars Ms. Dawn Erlich Ms. Cathi Kulat Conference Chair: Mr. Samuel P. Williamson

Conference Logistics Presentation TimersMs. Christina Bork Session Coordinators Mr. Mark Welshinger Dr. Paul Try Mr. Mike Babcock Lt Col Sabrina Taijeron Mr. Floyd Hauth Poster SessionLt Col Sabrina Taijeron

Tropical Cyclone Partnership Alliance: A Senior Leader Perspective Moderator: Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Associate VP for Research and Director, Sasaki Institute, University of Oklahoma Panelists: Dr. Richard Spinrad, Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, NOAA Mr. Robert Winokur, Technical Director, Office of the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy Dr. Jack Kaye, Associate Director for Research, Earth Science Division, NASA Headquarters Colonel Mark Zettlemoyer, Chief, Integration, Plans & Requirements, Directorate of Weather, HQ Air Force RDML David Titley, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Dr. John “Jack” Hayes, Assistant Administrator for Weather Services, NOAA Panel Discussion

NOAA – Dr. John “Jack” Hayes NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services/Director, NWS DHS / FEMA - Mr. Michael Buckley Acting Assistant Administrator Mitigation Directorate, DHS/FEMA USACE - Mr. Bill Birkemeier Field Data Collection Program USACE Field Research Facility Navy – RDML David Titley Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command NASA – Dr. Jack Kaye Director of the Research and Analysis Program within the NASA Earth-Sun System Division Federal Agency Lead Reps Air Force – Col Mark Zettlemoyer Directorate of Weather HQ USAF USDA - Mr. Brad Rippey Office of the Chief Economist Weather and Climate NSF - Dr. Brad Smull Division of Atmospheric Sciences DOI - Mr. Robert Cameron Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico Region DOT - Mr. Michael Vermuth Air Traffic Organization Eastern Service Center

Questions welcomed...time permitting Significant agency issues worked through lead agency reps –User community & agency reps are welcome to raise issues for discussion during Q&A periods and at Thursday workshops Significant issues reviewed daily at OFCM staff meeting –Results of discussions and any action items Summarized during the Final Plenary Session Ground Rules

Afternoon Break

The 2008 Tropical Cyclone Season in Review (3:30 – 5:15 PM) Session Leaders Dr. Steve Lyons, TWC CAPT Grant Cooper, NMFC/JTWC Session 1 Coordinator: Mr. Mark Welshinger, OFCM

St. Petersburg Ballroom, Sections 1 and 2 6:30 - 8:00 PM Reception / Icebreaker