Marine Meteorology and Media Marine Meteorology and Media The Neglected Ocean Front? The Neglected Ocean Front? Steven W. Lyons Steven W. Lyons The Weather Channel

What are the facts? What are the facts? At least 60% of US population lives within 100 miles of US coast At least 60% of US population lives within 100 miles of US coast Millions visit the coast annually Millions visit the coast annually Millions play in the ocean routinely Millions play in the ocean routinely Many are “novice” mariners Many are “novice” mariners Many die each year from rip currents! Many die each year from rip currents! Devastating storms & hurricanes come from the ocean, RESULTING IN HUGE ECONOMIC LOSSES! Devastating storms & hurricanes come from the ocean, RESULTING IN HUGE ECONOMIC LOSSES! Most are unaware of marine conservation needs, pollution prevention needs or coastal erosion problems Most are unaware of marine conservation needs, pollution prevention needs or coastal erosion problems

Private Sector Marine Users are Diverse Media Is One Group Private Sector Marine Users are Diverse Media Is One Group 1) Instrument makers 1) Instrument makers 2) Instrument users 2) Instrument users 3) Data collectors 3) Data collectors 4) Data processors 4) Data processors 5) Data users 5) Data users 6) Real-time data users 6) Real-time data users 7) Non-real time users 7) Non-real time users 8) Data Value adders 8) Data Value adders 9) Applied users 9) Applied users 10) Research users 10) Research users 11) Individual users 11) Individual users

THE MEDIA THE MEDIA A rather self-righteous group A rather self-righteous group A very independent but dependent group A very independent but dependent group A very powerful group A very powerful group A potentially “biasing” group A potentially “biasing” group A stubborn group A stubborn group A very competitive group A very competitive group A non-scientific group A non-scientific group

Media Can Be An Advertiser pro/con for Marine Data Media Can Be An Advertiser pro/con for Marine Data

Media Customers? Media Customers? The General Public (99% of customers) The General Public (99% of customers) Marine Recreation Marine Recreation Travelers/Hotels Travelers/Hotels Emergency Management Emergency Management Small businesses affected by weather Small businesses affected by weather Other Media Other Media Many more……… Many more………

Most media outlets provide only a small fraction of marine information Why? Most media outlets provide only a small fraction of marine information Why? Ignorant of the need? Ignorant of the need? Ignorant of the products available? Ignorant of the products available? Ignorant of how to apply marine data? Ignorant of how to apply marine data? Have not allotted time for marine weather in their programming? Have not allotted time for marine weather in their programming? Need high resolution data that is not available? Need high resolution data that is not available?

The Media Market The Media Market The coastal US dominates population The coastal US dominates population Residents living there do so to play in and/or near water Residents living there do so to play in and/or near water Many boat, sail, cruise, jet ski, surf, fish, swim in the ocean Many boat, sail, cruise, jet ski, surf, fish, swim in the ocean The media “should” have a huge desire to cover these interests The media “should” have a huge desire to cover these interests Ignorance about “marine” keeps them mostly in “weather” mode Ignorance about “marine” keeps them mostly in “weather” mode

Some Common Private Sector Marine Product Needs Some Common Private Sector Marine Product Needs OIL COMPANIES OIL COMPANIES Winds Winds Waves/Swells Waves/Swells Wave Periods Wave Periods Maximum waves (climatology) Maximum waves (climatology) Maximum winds (climatology) Maximum winds (climatology) Lightning Lightning Currents/ Temperatures (multiple levels) Currents/ Temperatures (multiple levels) Tides Tides Marine Climatology Marine Climatology Visibility Visibility Weather forecasts Weather forecasts

Media Marine Data Needs? Media Marine Data Needs? High temporal and spatial resolution data High temporal and spatial resolution data Wind, wave, swell, SST, air temperature and water visibility Wind, wave, swell, SST, air temperature and water visibility All within 1-15 miles of the coastline! All within 1-15 miles of the coastline! Marine education Marine education

Media Training in Marine Meteorology Media Training in Marine Meteorology Much to be desired? Much to be desired? No source to provide media marine training? No source to provide media marine training? Marine training by meteorology & atmospheric science programs is minimal? Marine training by meteorology & atmospheric science programs is minimal? Our competition focuses on land, hence so will we? Our competition focuses on land, hence so will we? Better no information than wrong information? Better no information than wrong information?

Marine Data Resolution Marine Data Resolution Is inadequate or absent Is inadequate or absent Is inferior to land data Is inferior to land data Poor spatial/temporal resolution makes it of little value to the media? Poor spatial/temporal resolution makes it of little value to the media? Media reqires quantitative not qualitative data? Media reqires quantitative not qualitative data?

High Resolution Not Quantified High Resolution Not Quantified

Media Use of Marine Data Media Use of Marine Data Data are not available in desired locations? Data are not available in desired locations?

Media Use of Marine Data Media Use of Marine Data Media realizes there are large local changes in marine “observations”? Media realizes there are large local changes in marine “observations”? Media decides not to show anything rather than show information representative of only a small portion of their viewer’s area? Media decides not to show anything rather than show information representative of only a small portion of their viewer’s area?

CONCLUSIONS 1) MEDIA CAN EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT MARINE 1) MEDIA CAN EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT MARINE WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (non scientific) WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (non scientific) 2) MEDIA MARINE DATA REQUIREMENTS (“should” be high) 2) MEDIA MARINE DATA REQUIREMENTS (“should” be high) 3) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS (high, coastal & redundant) 3) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS (high, coastal & redundant) The Media needs high temporal and spatial The Media needs high temporal and spatial resolution marine data and derived products resolution marine data and derived products for the immediate coastal zone (accessible on for the immediate coastal zone (accessible on media market systems! media market systems!

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