63 rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference Tropical Cyclone Research

63 rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference “Tropical Cyclone Research: Identifying Gaps and Focusing Research on Operational Needs” March 2 - 5, 2009

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

Overview • Motivation and Objectives • Conference Highlights • Next Steps • Conference Materials • Feedback • Special Recognition • Location of Future IHCs

City of St. Petersburg, FL The Honorable Rick Baker Mayor of St. Petersburg 63 rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference

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

Conference Objectives • 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 Agenda • 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

Conference Agenda • Invited Presentations - Mr Michael Buckley (DHS/FEMA) - Mr. Bill Proenza (NOAA/NWS) • 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

Banquet Vice Admiral Roger T. Rufe, Jr. , USCG(Ret. ) Director, Operations Coordination & Planning, DHS Presentation of the Hagemeyer Award to Dr. Mark De. Maria

Next Steps • Publish the 2009 National Hurricane Operations Plan • Follow through on the outcomes of the conference and actions already stated

Conference Materials Available Presentations and other material will be available on the OFCM web site shortly after the IHC. Click on “Special Projects” and navigate to the 63 rd IHC. http: //www. ofcm. gov/

Feedback We need and want your feedback on any aspect of the conference to help us maximize the value to you and the results of this conference. samuel. williamson@noaa. gov mark. welshinger@noaa. gov michael. babcock@noaa. gov (301) 427 -2002

Special Recognition WG/Tropical Cyclone Research WG/Hurricane and Winter Storms Ops Speakers, Session Leaders, Moderators, and Panelists OFCM and STC Staff Media – Mike Babcock, Dennis Feltgen (NHC) Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel Robert Spoto, Deb Sanders, Amy Nc. Neely and the Staff Mayor Baker, the City Council, and the Marketing Director and Staff of the City of St. Petersburg, FL

Special Recognition Ms. Erin Mc. Namara “The best one yet!”

Next IHC Tentative Locations 64 th IHC – 2010 Savannah, GA 65 th IHC – 2011 Miami, FL

63 rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference Thank you for your attendance and participation in the 63 rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference! On behalf of the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, Have a safe trip home!