Climate Services and Online Weather Archives

1. Climate Servicesand Online Weather Archives Open House September 22–23, 2012 NWS Baltimore/Washington

2. Weather vs. Climate? • Weather “What you get.” Short-term (minutes to days) variations (of temperature, precipitation, cloudiness, wind) in the atmosphere. • Climate“What you can expect.”The average of weather over a long period (30 years, 1000 years). Daily high temperatures so far in 2012 (Weather) 30-year high temperature normals (Climate) Daily low temperatures so far in 2012 (Weather) 30-year low temperature normals (Climate)

3. Climate Services on the Web • Historical data for Highs, Lows, Precipitation and Snowfall • Past Big Weather Events • Record Events • Climate Normals

4. Baltimore/Washington Climate Portal http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=lwx http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=lwx

5. Daily Climate Report (CLI) • 7 Local Climate Sites: • Reagan National (DCA), Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), Dulles (IAD) • Charlottesville (CHO), Martinsburg (MRB), Hagerstown (HGR), MD Science Center (DMH)

6. Daily Climate Report (CLI) • Contains high and low temperatures, precipitation, snow, wind and sky cover. • Useful for comparing daily observation to climate normals • Updated twice daily in the evening and overnight • Archived back 2 months on website

7. Preliminary Monthly Data (CF6)

8. Preliminary Monthly Data (CF6) • Daily data for the month • Useful for comparing month-to-date observations to monthly climate normals • Contains high and low temperatures, precipitation, snow, wind, etc. • Updated daily during the overnight • Archived back 5 years on website

9. Monthly Weather Summary (CLM)

10. Monthly Weather Summary (CLM) • Statistical summary for the month • Published within the 5 days after the month has ended • Contains a narrative section that highlights the big weather events and climate anomalies for the month • Archived back 1 year on website

11. Monthly Weather Summary (CLM) • Statistical summary for the month • Published within the first few days of the next month • Contains a narrative section that highlights the month’s climate. • Archived one year back

12. Record Event Report (RER)

13. Record Event Report (RER) • Information on weather-related records that have been tied or broken • Issued if climate record has been set • Archived back 6 months on website

14. NOWData • Up-to-date data that includes climate data for 26 COOP sites in the area • Archived data varies depending on product you request • Access to the latest climate normals for each site

15. Climate Plots Available on our homepage: www.weather.gov/washington

16. Climate Snowfall Normals Used the 1981-2010 Climate Normals Will be available on our website this upcoming winter

17. Additional Climate Resources-(National) NOAA National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) World’s largest active archive of weather & climate data Produces numerous climate publications and responds to data requests from all over the world Past Weather Extremes & Disasters Where you go to get certified/official weather & climate data www.ncdc.noaa.gov

18. Additional Climate Resources- (Regional) NOAA Regional Climate Centers Past weather data/ climate products and services for a particular region Additional source for accurate and up-to-date climate information MD WV VA www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/regionalclimatecenters.html

19. Additional Climate Resources- (State) State Climatologist Office Additional climate and weather information for your State Useful climate research performed by state climatologists www.stateclimate.org/

20. NOAA Climate Services Portal Provides extensible access to climate data and services, current climate articles and information, education resources, and tools for engagement and decision-making Information about climate change www.climate.gov

21. NOAA Drought Portal Website integrates latest drought monitoring and forecast products Provides early warning about emerging and anticipated droughts Provides information about risk and impact of droughts, and past droughts for comparison to current conditions Explains how to plan for and manage the impacts of droughts www.drought.gov

22. NOAA Drought Portal-U.S. Drought Monitor Obtain the latest drought conditions Collaboration between U.S. Dept. of Ag., NOAA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Incorporates review from a group of 250 climatologists, extension agents, and others across the nation. Updated every Thursday morning www.drought.gov

23. NOAA Drought Portal-U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook Seasonal forecast for drought in the U.S. Contains a narrative assessment of the drought by clicking on the image Updated twice per month www.drought.gov

24. Climate Prediction Center- Hazard Assessment Assesses potential weather hazards over the next 14 days Includes potential hazards associated with temperature, wind, heavy snow and rain, flooding, drought and wildfire Updated daily www.cpc.noaa.gov

25. Climate Prediction Center- Long-Range Temperature Outlooks 6-10 day and 8-14 day temperature outlook Shows forecast probability of above, below or near normal conditions Updated daily One month and seasonal outlooks also available www.cpc.noaa.gov

26. Climate Prediction Center- Long-Range Precipitation Outlooks 6-10 day and 8-14 day precipitation outlook Shows forecast probability of above, below or near normal conditions Updated daily One month and seasonal outlooks also available www.cpc.noaa.gov

27. Local 3-Month Temperature Outlook Downscales CPC 3-month temperature outlook to a single location in the area Shows forecast probability of above, below or near normal conditions. Updated monthly http://www.weather.gov/climate/calendar_outlook.php?wfo=lwx

28. Any Climate Questions or Suggestions: Jared.Klein@noaa.gov LWX Climate Program Leader