Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM CHALLENGES IN URBAN METEOROLOGY A Forum for Users and Providers September 21-23, 2004 Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center Rockville, Maryland (USA)

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS Mr. Samuel P. Williamson Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Welcome and Opening Remarks Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers Partners: – –Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate – –Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM)

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Welcome and Administrative Remarks Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to ensure the Challenges in the Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers conference will be a success – –Special thanks to our forum partner, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate – –Thanks to the distinguished key speakers, moderators, panelists, workshop chairpersons – –Thanks to the members of my staff at the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology – –A special “Thank You” to you, the participants of the conference, who will play an important role in making this forum a success

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Welcome and Administrative Remarks Ms Erin McNamara--Conference Coordinator for Logistics Ms Margaret McCalla--Conference Coordinator for Agenda Ms Diana McQuestion--Registration Assistance Mr Kent P. LaBorde (NOAA Public Affairs)--Arranging Media Events Lt Col Rob Rizza--Protocol and media co-coordinator Mr Ken Barnett/Ellis Godfrey--Audio/Visual Assistance (Note: If you have not already done so, please turn in any slides you plan to present to Ken as soon as possible.)

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Forum Theme Information to Improve Community Responses to Urban Atmospheric Hazards, Weather Events, and Climate Information to Improve Community Responses to Urban Atmospheric Hazards, Weather Events, and Climate Severe Weather Homeland Security Air Quality Climate Water Quality Regional Ecosystem Planning and Management Research and Tech Tools Observing Sys Educ, Outreach, Training Risk Management Public Health and Safety Info Dissemination and Inter Surface Transportation Business Cont Planning

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Conference “Thoughts” Why an Urban Meteorology conference now? – –Escalating demands/competition for urban resources. – –Advancements in science and technology can substantially improve the accuracy and utility of weather and climate information in urban decision processes. – –Set the stage for better integration of multidisciplinary research to address urban weather and climate issues/concerns.

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Urban Meteorological Impacts Severe Weather Hurricane Isabel 2003: 47 lives lost Mid-Atlantic Coast impacts: $ 4.0B damage Hail Damage June 04: $ 146M damage Denver: Tornados/Severe Storms Mar 00: 5 deaths Dallas/Ft Worth: $ 500M damage Tornados/Severe Storms May 03: 41 deaths TN/OH Valleys: $ 3.1B damage

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Urban Meteorological Impacts Homeland Security Events of : 2000 deaths New York/Pentagon: $ 200 B damage Train Derailment May 02: 2200 evacuated Lansing, Michigan: 3-Mile Island Mar 79 - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: 140,000 evacuate. Aftermath: 5-mile evacuation plan deemed inadequate, 20-mile plan drawn up, calls for evacuation of 650,000 Train Derailment May 00: 3500 evacuated Eunice, Louisiana

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Urban Meteorological Impacts Air Quality “At Risk” populations in some of the top 25 polluted cities in the U.S. LA: over 17,000,000 Dallas/Ft Worth: over 5,600,000 Fresno: over 950,000 NYC: over 21,500,000 Chicago: over 9,500,000 Data from: American Lung Association State of the Air 2004 report

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Urban Meteorological Impacts Climate 2003: Southern California wildfires 743,000 ac burned, 3700 homes destroyed, 22 killed 2002: Widespread over 30 states $10 B in damages 2000: Western wildfires 7,000,000 ac burned, $2.1B in damages 2000: Heatwave estimated 149 deaths EL NINO

Challenges in Urban Meteorology: A Forum for Users and Providers OFCM Conference “Thoughts” What should we expect to accomplish at this forum? – –Identify better ways to integrate, apply, and deliver weather and climate science and technology to urban decision makers and reduce high impact weather and climate risk – –Focus attention on the relationship of natural hazards to urban ecosystems and their management and facilitate the transfer of emerging science and technology – –Promote close collaboration and integration of multidisciplinary research to address weather and climate impacts on urban communities and improve forecasting for coastal and complex terrain areas – –Raise the level of concern on priorities needed for funding research and application of science and technology on urban weather and climate problems/issues