120 likes | 134 Views
Learn about the Florida Climate Center, providing valuable climate services to various users in Florida. Discover their approach, interesting cases, and user-driven products. Visit their websites for more information.
E N D
James J. O’Brien State Climatologist for Florida Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Florida State University Staff David F. Zierden - Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin - Coordinator of Research Services and Programs Mort Winsberg - Professor Emeritus, Geography Preston Leftwich - Research Assistant The Florida Climate Center’s Approach to Climate Services
Background • Prior to 1972, NWS employed all State Climatologists. • Budget cuts and decentralization led to the elimination of the NOAA State Climatologist program. • Florida continued to recognize a State Climatologist, but in name only in recent years. • December 1998 James O’Brien agreed to become the new Florida State Climatologist. • State Climate Office came with unfunded mandate to provide climate services and information to the state of Florida.
Building the Florida Climate Center • Established working relationship with the NWS, NCDC and SERCC. • Organize old climate records and publications. • Built web site and other measures to publicize the FCC. • Built relationships with other scientists and institutions. • Found research and funding opportunities in private industry.
Common Users of Climate Services • Students K-12 Undergraduates/Graduates • Private Citizens • Engineering Firms • Contractors • Law Enforcement • Government and State Agencies • Liaison with the Media State newspapers Public radio Television
Law Firms • U.S Department of Labor • State Attorney’s Office • Public Defenders (state and federal level) • Variety of Law Practices from the state and around the country
Interesting Cases • Carver and Fisher • The Solomon Troop Law Group • Horizon Construction and Development vs. City of Lakeland • Robert Evans
Sports/Outdoor Events • Disney’s Animal Kingdom • Director of Planning and Research, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau • Stadium Medical Director, University of Florida
Heat Indices • ~50 years of hourly observations from 33 stations throughout the Southeast US • Investigated: • Daily/Hourly occurrences per year • Percentage of occurrences per year • Livestock Stress
User Driven Products • Common Requests for specific information • Wind Climatology • Aviation • Construction • Water Sports • Engineering Firms • General Use
Wind Climatology • Based on daily values of wind speed and direction • First Order Weather Stations in Florida
Wrap Up • First Contact for most requests • Listening to the user • Creating user driven products/forecasts
Visit Our Websites COAPS: www.coaps.fsu.edu Florida Climate Center: www.coaps.fsu.edu/climate_center Email: Griffin@coaps.fsu.edu For More Information: