Annual/Termination Reports:

[09/14/2002] [10/29/2002] [04/05/2004] [04/07/2005]

Report Information

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Strand/California: Worked with University of California researchers on model validation of weather-sensitive spraying of six row-crop worm pests; results will be incorporated in pest management guidelines for next growing season. Implemented model that predicts citrus thrips damage based on weather patterns in February and March. Provided 5-day degree-day forecasts in spring to help cotton farmers determine planting schedules. With the California Tomato Research Institute, collected and disseminated information for Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley farmers for predicting black mold occurrence on processing tomatoes.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Pielke,Doesken/Colorado: Continued active role in Colorado drought monitoring, participating in Colorado Water Availability Task Force. Disseminated results on climate monitoring, research and applications through the Colorado Climate magazine, now in its second year. Coordinated the expansion of the Colorado Agricultural Meteorological Network, originally formed to serve irrigation needs, but gaining interest for odor management and other feedlot and livestock applications. Continued collaboration with the National Weather Service to improve climate data quality and continuity. Involved citizens of all ages in studies of precipitation patterns and hail events through the Community Collaborative Rain and Hail Study (CoCo RaHS; ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/~hail).<br /> <br><br /> <br>Chu/Hawaii: Served on the Water Resources Committee of the Hawaii Drought Council established by the Governor of Hawaii. Concluded a study of the relationships between seasonal fire activity and the Southern Oscillation Index in the state of Hawaii, a joint activity with WCC-102 Forest Service member. Collaborated with the National Weather Service and the Army Corps of Engineers in updating the climatology of rainfall frequency for Hawaii, a project funded by the EPA, the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai, and the Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Qualls/Idaho: Rebuilding web site to make navigation more intuitive for users of weather and climate data. Worked with University of Idaho Library to make the complete historical record of Idaho Cooperative Observer station data available online (www.uidaho.edu/~climate). Conducting a two-year study to develop methods to detect, delineate, and quantify area of agricultural field burning using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM). Hired postdoctoral research associate to jointly develop methods to model evapotranspiration and other land/atmosphere mass and energy exchanges, using remotely sensed data.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Sammis/New Mexico: Published newsletter for public distribution, covering past, present, and future climate of new Mexico (http://weather.nmsu.edu/news.htm). Developed crop coefficient and irrigation scheduling model for use on the Internet<br /> <br>(http://water-management.nmsu.edu/). Will continue to add spread sheets for irrigation scheduling and improve the web page.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Taylor/Multistate: Worked with NOAA, Forest Service and WRCC to improve procedures to collect and disseminate weather data. Worked with National Weather Service, regional and state climate centers, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service to provide new precipitation intensity-duration-frequency maps. Produced maps for WCC-102 member agency NRCS that show frost dates, growing season, and plant hardiness, in addition to climatological data. Maintained web site that averages 60,000 hits per week.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Jensen/Utah: Reconstructing web site to add new capabilities, new spatial products, and access new database of climatological data. New normal maps based on the period 1971-2000 are being generated for Utah, including monthly maximum, minimum and mean temperatures, and computed reference evapotranspiration. Worked with Bureau of Land Management to monitor climate on Utah rangelands.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Fujioka/Multistate: Concluded a joint study of relationships between seasonal fire activity and the Southern Oscillation Index in the state of Hawaii, with Hawaii WCC-102 member Chu. Partnered with Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey to provide high resolution weather forecasts for California using the MM5 model, for fire danger and smoke dispersion predictions.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Palmer/Multistate: Made major improvements to AgriMet web site to improve access to weather and crop water use information. Continued to incorporate near-real time weather data from AgriMet stations into other data networks to improve timeliness of weather data for a variety of users. Generated crop water use charts for each station each day of the growing season, for 50 crops grown in the Pacific Northwest region.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Pasteris/Multistate: Managed snow data from 1,200 manual snow monitoring courses and 660 remote automatic weather stations in the mountainous West. Expanded soil-climate monitoring stations from 42 to 54 stations covering 32 states. Provided users with near real-time climate and soil moisture and soil temperature information via the Internet (www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/scan). Co-developed a scientific team with the Agricultural Research Service to conduct stochastic weather generation research, in response to high priority stakeholder needs identified at the Watershed Processes National Program Workshop. Partnered in a project to provide comprehensive, consistent precipitation frequency information for all US states and possessions, using new climate analysis and mapping technologies. Collaborators include federal and state agencies, universities, and private organizations.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Redmond/Multistate: Worked with Forest Service and BLM on a siting strategy for remote automatic weather stations in the Great Basin. Provided climatology expertise at fire and climate meeting in Arizona, climate change meeting for state natural resource agencies in California, and regional climate modeling meeting at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Conducted research on inversion variability, climate extremes, and long term variations in climate and hydrologic extremes.<br /> <br>

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Strand/California: Provided new or improved models for more accurate spray timing against insect pests and diseases and to better control pests, while reducing pesticide use and worker exposure in California. Maintained and added easily accessible web tools and weather data to support agriculture.
2. Pielke,Doesken/Colorado: Provided climatological services, research, and leadership of climate-related activities that serve agriculture and water resource management in Colorado.
3. Qualls/Idaho: Conducted various projects in Idaho to provide web-based databases and tools such as calculators, to conserve water by making residential irrigation more efficient.
4. Fujioka/Multistate: Providing forest and air resource managers in California and Hawaii with detailed weather model data for planning activities that promote public and firefighter safety.

Back to top

Report Information

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Strand/California: Through California PestCast, a project of the UC Statewide IPM Program in conjunction with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, additional, crop-based weather data was collected for validation of disease and insect models. Information, including air temperature, RH, rainfall, and leaf wetness duration, at 15-min or hourly intervals was collected. Collection has continued through 4 to 7 seasons, depending on crop and location. <br /> <br><br /> <br>Pasteris USDA-NRCS National Water and Climate Center Multistate: The following activities were accomplished: Data Analyses & Mapping for the RUSLE2 Project. Wind data analyses for wind erosion, air quality, and weather generation. Mean precipitation mapping of the Pac Basin. SNOTEL temperature data was spatial Q/C using PRISM (initial work). Unified Climate Access Network (UCAN--now called AGCLIMET) was implemented by NRCS. <br /> <br><br /> <br>Palmer/Multistate -AgriMet Bureau of Reclamation: Enhancements continue to be made to Reclamations AgriMet Home Page on the World Wide Web to improve access to weather and crop water use information. Near-real time weather data from AgriMet stations continue to be incorporated into several other networks to improve the delivery of timely weather data to a variety of users including the Mesowest Network (sponsored by the University of Utah), the National Weather Service in Missoula, MT (Current surface observations in the Pacific Northwest), and PAWS -- the Public Agricultural Weather System sponsored by Washington State University. AgriMet weather data is utilized daily by the Oregon State University Integrated Plant Protection Center for degree day and pest management modeling.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Jan Curtis University of Wyoming: A drought decision tree was developed to trigger actions required for declaring drought and taking mitigating actions. The drought decision tree may be adapted for other states. <br /> <br><br /> <br>Francis FujiokaUSDA-Forest Service: A National Fire Plan is being developed by the Regional Modeling Consortium to address fire behavior models, fire danger, and air quality impacts of wildland fire. <br /> <br><br /> <br>George TaylorOregon State University<br /> <br>Organ State University has produced weather maps for the following organizations: 1) US official precipitation maps  USDA NRCS; 2) New US Climate Atlas  NOAA NCDC; 3) 107-yr US climate time series  NOAA, NASA; 4) Storm event modeling  US Army Corps; 5) Extreme precipitation mapping  NOAA NWS; 6) Daily climate mapping  USEPA; 7) Spatial Improvement of Forecasts  Weather Channel; 8) Canada, China, European Alps mapping  EC, USDA, ETH.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Pao-Shin ChuUniversity of Hawaii-Manoa: Drought and wildland fire continue to be a major problem in Hawaii. Extreme rainfall events frequency statistics for Hawaii are being updated. A GIS evaluation of drought impact areas and drought frequency analysis based on the SPI method is being conducted using GIS. An evaluation the Deetch-Byram Dought Index for it effective use in Hawaii is being conducted. <br /> <br><br /> <br>Don JensenUtah State University: Although there is no funding for the Utah Climate Center, the program has continued to make data available from Utah weather stations and work on point and spatial distribution of weather and climate products <br /> <br><br /> <br>Ted SammisNew Mexico State University: A news letter on fire was published by the New Mexico Climate Center. A new interface for the state climatology site was developed and is at http://weather-mirror.nmsu.edu/. A crop growth and irrigation model was developed for pine trees. Addition climate stations were added to the New Mexico Climate Network. <br /> <br><br /> <br>Nolan Doesken Colorado State University: The Year of Drought was the focus of state business, but there were numerous outreach opportunities for putting out weather and climate messages that resulted from the drought. The CoCoRaHS rain and hail study continued to collect and analysis data and expand in size. This is a program that uses cooperators to collect a high special density of rain and hail data.<br /> <br>

Publications

Impact Statements

1. New or improved models that were developed this year for more accurate spray timing against insect pests and diseases provide for better control of pests while reducing pesticide use and worker exposure (Strand/California ). Easy accessibility of these tools and the weather data to support them through the Web has increased use if the models. Only through real time modeling and monitoring can pesticide use be decreased.
2. With the Weather Data Webpage (http://mac1.pn.usbr.gov/agrimet/wxdata.html) being completely redesigned in April, 2002, users were able to access information easier and use the crop water use information to schedule irrigations in a drought situation. With additional states and stations added to the system more farmers are using climate based irrigation scheduling to conserve water. A survey of the users indicated that they used on a regular bases and like the information available at the site.
3. The Extreme precipitation maps being produced for all of the United States will have a large impact on the design of culverts, road and small dams. All of the maps produced by George Taylor at Oregon State University will be used to manage water resources and help planners determine the allocation of water in both drought and flood conditions.

Back to top

Report Information

Participants

Doesken, Nolan (nolan@atmos.colostate.edu)--Colorado State University;
Palmer, Peter (ppalmer@pn.usbr.gov)--U.S. Bureau of Reclamation;
Pierce , Fran (fjpierce@wsu.edu)--Washington State University;
Qualls, Russ (rqualls@uidaho.edu)--University of Idaho;
Redmond, Kelly (krwrcc@dri.edu)--NOAA/Western Regional Climate Center;
Sammis, Ted (Tsammis@nmsu.edu)--New Mexico State University;
Sommers, Lee (Lee.sommers@colostate.edu)--Administrative Advisor;
Strand, Joyce (jfstrand@ucdavis.edu)--University of California;
Mote, Phil (philip@atmos.washington.edu)--University of Washington;
Molnau, Myron (myron@turbonet.com)--University of Idaho, retired;
Zhao, Wenguang ()--University of Idaho, guest

Brief Summary of Minutes

Lee Sommers - Administrative Advisor -. Congress is in process of finalizing budget for current year. Tentative budget approval waiting for conference committee. Bottom line: unlikely to be major changes to USDA funding. Anticipate flat budget. New competitive grant program in NRI - larger grants (~$300-500K), but total funding fixed, so fewer grants funded. For the National Research Support Projects (NRSP) (e.g., Atmospheric Deposition Project), new review process initiated to help monitor projects.



Mike Harrington in his role as Executive Director in the western region is involved in developing enhanced joint efforts between AES, CES, and academic programs. New efforts to have greater cooperation between cooperative extension and experiment station researchers.



Many coordinating committees are not up to date on their reporting. Directors passed resolution that if a particular committee lacks reports, a request for continuation would not be considered-rather it would be sent back to the coordinating committee without review. Our committee is current, so this is not a problem for us. There are approximately 70-80 committees in the western region; about one-half of these are coordinating committees. Coordinating committees purpose is to coordinate multi-state research/projects and related extension or academic programs. Funding can only be used to support travel. A Powerpoint presentation was shown on ?Communicating outcomes and impacts? What is impact? What is it not? Why? Who Cares? A national database on impact statements is at: http://www.reeusda.gov/success/impact.html



Presentations were made on example applications of weather and climate data, incorporating information on the concept of risk, variables required, sensor/measurement requirements, data availability, delivery, presentation, extension efforts, acceptance.



Climate tools developed at New Mexico State Univeristy (Ted Sammis) have integrated all automated weather stations in the state of NM. Three tools have been developed 3: (1) Rangeland carrying capacity map for ranchers to use to manage cattle numbers during droughts; (2) Wind direction and intensity maps-for engineers designing wind generators and buildings; (3) Crop development map for farmers to look at crop development rate between years. Also, a drought tool was developed for the Governor.



The Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington (Philip Mote)discussed Piloting Climate Services for the Pacific Northwest. Sectors: Water Resources, Salmon, Forests, Coasts, [Human Health], [Agriculture]. Scope of Work: Climate Variability, Climate Change. Research Approach: Retrospective - establish past impacts of climate and societal responses; Interdisciplinary - linking research with outreach and stakeholders. Example 1: long-lead 12-month stream flow forecasts for the Columbia River. In the past, stream flow forecasts were not made until January snow survey data were in. However, there is benefit to having forecasts several months earlier, hence the justification for this project. Example 2: Planning for climate change: municipal water supply for the City of Portland, Oregon. Example 3: Planning for climate change: water resources in the Columbia basin. There is need to interject climate change information into existing river basin planning activities, rather than expect agencies to adopt new planning models. Example 4: Forecasting Coho ocean survival. Example 5: Climate and Fire Risk. Summary: Many climate-sensitive natural resources Seasonal forecast possibilities outlined. Growing demand for advice on future climate change Before/After surveys indicate that use of climate change data has dramatically increased since the development of these climate change products.



An educational effort discussd by Joyce Strand was the University of California Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. IPM is ecosystem-based strategy. Pesticides used only after monitoring indicated they are needed. Weather data used to determine timing of application. Risk management: crop; human health; environment, etc. Audience and Training: growers; licensed pest control advisors; field days and workshops; Print and web dissemination of training; publications. Some Interventions dependent on weather?Strategic choices of crop and location; biological methods-host plant resistance, introduction/enhancement of organisms; Cultural tactics; Physical; Chemical. Weather and the decision to intervene: Intervention method; Intervention timing. Simple methods: degree-days. Bottom Line: fewer growers are spraying weekly, and more are spraying based on evidence of need. This has been promoted for the past 23 years in California, and is now pretty regularly accepted. It has taken a substantial amount of hounding to accomplish. Some more complicated scenarios: Grape powdery Mildew. Weather Impacts: temperature minimum required for spore germination; ideal temperature range exists; if temperature exceeds sustained threshold, spores killed. Developed model based on this information, post model information to web. Farm advisors indicate information is being used by growers.



Peter Palmer-U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Update on Agrimet network. Discussed sensors, instrument siting, annual calibration, data retrieval, data quality control, ET calculation using Kimberly-Penman Evapotranspiration Model (alfalfa reference). Crop specific consumptive use is also calculated using crop coefficients. Agrimet supports itself through Federal appropriated dollars. New stations are established by request of end-users. End user pays for 100% of installation/purchase cost, and for annual maintenance. Objective is to get the greatest number of users in order to achieve conservation of the largest amount of water. Access: www.usbr.gov/pn/agrimet



Nolan Doesken-Colorado State University. This year?s activities have been drought dominated, even though the state received a reasonable amount of precipitation. Water year precipitation for Colorado showed a big bulls-eye of above average precipitation in headwaters of Colorado river. This happened to be in vicinity of a Denver Cloud seeding project, which appears good. However, the data shows that most of the precipitation fell during non-seeded events. Many people think of climate in terms of forecasts, and do not understand the value of historical climate data. Activities of interest to WCC-102: (a) CoAgMet - meteorological network which has been in operation for over a decade now; (b) CoCoRaHS - has deployed 1200 non-recording rain gages over the past 5 years, 750 of which are currently regularly reporting data; has received NSF funding to use this network for a water-balance educational program; this program seems to have had the greatest impact of anything activity in the last 26 years. (c) Future projects - mintain snow measurement system



Kelly Redmond ? Western Regional Climate Center. Highlights of accomplishments: Added all Pacific Ocean buoy weather data to NOAA coop and airways data system for entire period of record to present; Have funding from NSF to instrument transects on the Sierra Nevada Mountains; Kelly has been attending meetings with the new NWS climate service point of contacts and has emphasized that it is imperative for the quality of data to be good - ?Nobody remembers the forecasts, but everybody remembers the data.? And it is difficult to get the NWS interested in ?climate? data in place of ?weather? data; and

Modernization of COOP measurement system will cost about $100M; it is a significant undertaking. A paper was distributed discussing automated tools for detecting inhomogeneities in climate station records.



Myron Molnau-Retired Idaho State Climatologist. Still working with old Idaho Army Fort data. Next summer plans to travel around state to try to identify actual location of former Army fort weather stations.



Philip Mote, Washington State Climatologist, University of Washington. Gave overview of what he has done since acceptance of position in March 2003. Has developed web page for Office of Washington Climate Services. Gave some ideas regarding the type of services he would like to develop.



Ted Sammis, New Mexico State University. Continues distribution of data for NM, has integrated all automated stations in NM into his online data system. Continues Web site which houses multiple applications of weather and climate data to agriculture.



Russ Qualls, University of Idaho. Continues development of data distribution products through his Web site.



Francis Pierce?Washington State University-Center for Precision Agricultural Systems, Prosser. Updated the Washington Public Agricultural Weather Systems (PAWS) network for the State of Washington. Sixty stations, primarily in irrigated agriculture. Exxon oil originally funded some of the project. Needs: High quality data, Site Specific, mobile access. Built system from scratch; radio transmission of data; 15 minute time scale. Users can develop their own web page to incorporate the data they are interested in retrieving. Pest Monitor, retrieving data from hundreds of traps ; Insect Monitor Traps; ?FrostNet? Frost Detection sensors; Chemigation Monitoring. Cost is ~$3000 per weather station.



Joyce Strand, University of California-Davis. Discussed impact of 5-day degree-day forecast applied to cotton planting



Discussion of Expected and Achieved Outcomes for WCC-102 Objectives. Joyce Strand compiled list of outcomes achieved by participants, and links to resources addressing each objective. This list is in outline form. Over the coming year, participants will provide additional information too flesh out the outline. Joyce will send the outline.



Business Meeting. Selection of New Officers: Russ Qualls, (2003 secretary) to be 2004 Chair. Peter Palmer nominated Scott Archer for 2004 secretary. Peter Palmer will serve as secretary if Scott Archer does not agree to serve. Discussed possibility of meeting with irrigation coordinating committee. Officers of the two groups could talk about the common interests of the two groups and explore the possibility of a joint meeting during the 2005 year. It might be advantageous to have part of a day as a joint meeting, and the two groups could then meet separately for the remainder of the meeting. Peter Palmer and Ted Sammis are on both committees. 2004 Meeting will be in Albuquerque, NM. Dates to avoid: 1st week of November, October 6-8th. Possible dates: 2nd week of November.



Possible Topics of Discussion for 2004 meeting: Quality Control; Development of Impact Statements and Evaluation of Impacts.

Meeting adjourned 10 am

Accomplishments

Strand/California: worked with University of California researchers on development of models relating weather to development of olive fruit and olive fruit fly, a new exotic pest. Temperature-based models of artichoke thistle and sting nematode were completed. Information on how to use weather-based models for timing sprays against tomato fruitworm (Helicoverpa zea) and for assessing risk of grape powdery mildew were incorporated into UC pest management guidelines.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Doesken/Colorado: Expanded CoCoRahs community-based weather network, deploying additional 550 nonrecording rain gages in 2003. He indicates that this effort has had the most impact of anything that he has done in 26 years. In association with the network, he?s conducting an NSF-funded educational program related to rainfall and water balance. He has continued an active role in Colorado drought monitoring, continued maintenance of CoAgMet network, and continued publication of the Colorado Climate magazine.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Qualls/Idaho: Idaho State Climate Services serves as a resource for drought information developed through other offices. Developed algorithms to use remotely sensed data to determine the spatial distribution of evapotranspiration, for use in irrigation scheduling and numerical weather prediction. ISCS has added to the database providing free online access to the Cooperative Observer Network climate data set for the entire period of record for the entire state of Idaho. This database is available through links from the ISCS website http://www.uidaho.edu/~climate. In addition, ISCS continues to provide data services to users around the state.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Sammis/New Mexico: For New Mexico, has developed online rangeland carrying capacity map for ranchers to use in managing cattle numbers during droughts. Developed and posted online wind direction and intensity maps designed for use by engineers designing wind generators and buildings. Also produced crop development maps for farmers to look at differences in crop development rate between years. Prepared newsletter on water, climate and agriculture, and impact of global warming on New Mexico.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Mote/Pierce/Washington: Developed a Web page for the Office of Washington Climate Services and has just begun to make plans for the office. Completely updated the Washington Public Agriculture Weather Systems (PAWS) network, using newly designed instrumentation, loggers, and radios to improve service and significantly reduce cost. Retrieves pest data from hundreds of traps to relate to weather and crop damage; frost sensors alert growers to frost/freeze conditions. <br /> <br><br /> <br>Curtis/Wyoming: Wyoming Climate Atlas ready for publication, and includes graphics, text, and complete PRISM map set for Wyoming. Has improved Web site access to the state Water Basin Plans related to surface and groundwater storage.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Palmer/ USBR: Produced almost 10,000 crop water use charts, tailored to 50 crops grown in the Pacific Northwest, generated for each station each day of the growing season, April through mid-October. Revised and updated the USBR AgriMet Irrigation Guide Web site, containing information on irrigation scheduling, soil water storage capacities, root zone depths, management allowable depletions, and irrigiation system irrigation system efficiencies.<br /> <br><br /> <br>Redmond/WRCC: Has continued to work with drought programs, including Western Governors Association National Integrated Drought Information System. Continued acquisition quality control, archival of weather and climate data for the western states. Prepared papers on extreme precipitation and growing season trends for the U.S over the past century. Contributing to Westmap, monthly time history at 1 km resolution for Western U.S., and developing Applied Climate Information System, provisional daily maps for each state. Added access to new products for RAWS locations.

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Improved Web products related to crop water use, plus materials and programs to educate growers and residential users about efficient use of water in irrigation, furnish reduced demands in time of drought.
2. Pest models, linked to realtime weather databases in California, Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico, provide more accurate spray timing or assessment of risk due to pests, contributing to reduced pesticide use and worker exposure.
3. Accessibility of localized weather data continues to increase throughout the West, contributing to drought monitoring, assessment, and policy development in the Rocky Mountain states.

Back to top

Report Information

Participants

Scott Archer, USDI  Bureau of Land Management, scott_archer@blm.gov;Jan Curtis, University of Wyoming/Water Resources Data System, jcurtis@uwyo.edu;Nolan Doesken, Colorado State University/Colorado Climate Center, nolan@atmos.colostate.edu; Francis Fujioka, USDA  Forest Service, ffujioka@fs.fed.us; Peter Palmer, USDI  Bureau of Reclamation, ppalmer@pn.usbr.gov; Russ Qualls, University of Idaho/Idaho State Climate Services, rqualls@uidaho.edu; Ted Sammis, New Mexico State University/New Mexico Climate Center, tsammis@nmsu.edu; Lee Sommers, Colorado State University, lee.sommers@colostate.edu; Joyce Strand, University of California-Davis/Integrated Pest Management, jfstrand@ucdavis.edu

Brief Summary of Minutes

Russ Qualls, 2004 President, asked members present for any changes to last years meeting minutes (http://weather.nmsu.edu/wrcc102/WCC-102-Minutes-2003.pdf); as there were none, Ted Sammis moved that the 2003 Meeting Minutes be accepted as is; motion seconded by Nolan Doesken; approved unanimously by all members present.

As Scott Archer, 2004 Secretary, will automatically become the 2005 President, nominations were solicited for 2005 Secretary. Kelly Redmond (Western Regional Climate Center) was nominated unanimously by all members present. In case Kelly is unable to serve, Greg Johnson (Natural Resources Conservation Service), was nominated first-alternate unanimously by all members present.

The Committee discussed the need to encourage more participation at the Annual Meetings. Nearly 20 individuals are currently listed as Committee members. Outreach will be made to National Weather Service Climate Staff, as well as other individuals recommended by current Committee members.

The Committee identified two possible locations for next years annual meeting, tentatively scheduled for September 20 - 21, 2005, at either: the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove (Monterey County), CA (http://www.visitasilomar.com/discover/index.html); or the Ramada Inn at Laramie, WY (http://www.ramada.com/Ramada/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=02823&brandInfo=RA). Scott Archer will pursue making reservations, but ideas regarding a pre-meeting field trip/sponsor on Monday, September 19, 2005, are welcome. Alternative dates include: October 4-6; October 12-13; and October 18-20; but not October 24-28, 2005.

Lee Sommers provided information on the National Research Support Projects' procedures (such as NADP, IR-4 Minor Use Pesticides, etc.). A review was conducted, procedures revised, and budget modifications were implemented. There may be a need for new National Support abstracts, as well. The Federal budget is currently under Continuing Resolutions, there is debate on the Farm Bill, and possible new programs within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including developing 'Centers of Excellence' to address: Risk Analysis Use, Food Safety (MN), and Zoonotic Diseases (UC-Davis and Texas A&M). The Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP) is also examining biosecurity efforts, like non-selective agents (toxic, but not extreme), in cooperation with the National Institute for Agricultural Security (an NGO).

The USDA Research, Economics and Education Task Force (chaired by Dr. William Danforth, Washington University) has recommended the creation of an independent National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA; see http://www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/temp/050315/National_Institute_Food_Ag.pdf), which would fund extramural, peer-reviewed basic research, employing a model much like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. According to the Task Force Report, NIFAs mission would be to support fundamental agricultural research in order to: increase international competitiveness; develop foods that improve health and combat obesity; create new plant and animal products; improve food safety and security; enhance sustainability and improve the environment; strengthen rural community economies; develop bio-fuels to reduce dependence on foreign petroleum sources; and improve productivity of subsistence farmers in developing countries. The goal is $1 billion in research over five years time.

The regions and the Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/WAAESD/) have developed a new activity application, approval and implementation system. That is why WCC-102 has become the WERA-102 (same basic activity with a new name to reflect education/extension and research). WAAESD has implemented the National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS; http://www.nimss.umd.edu/), based an Oracle-based on-line submission process. The Annual Meeting Report is due within 60 days after the meeting is concluded. Next years meeting will not be authorized until all reports are current. The Activities are approved on a five-year basis, with an Activity Review conducted during year three.

[SECRETARY'S NOTE: The October 1, 2001 - September 30, 2006 Western Coordinating Committee Renewal Petition (http://weather-mirror.nmsu.edu/wrcc102/proposal.htm) was recommended for approval by the Regional Coordination Implementation Committee, and accepted by the WAAESD, WED and AP during their joint meeting on July 17, 2001, at Keystone, CO (see http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/WAAESD/WAAESD/S01min.pdf).]

The process for renewing WERA-102 is: 1. Develop a draft submission in the NIMSS or share drafts among members via email; 2. Administrative Advisor will: notify the Agricultural Experiment Station Center Directors of new objectives; and requests new participation (from all Experiment Station Directors.); 3. All participants must file Appendix E material either through their Director (Land Grant Universities) or through the Administrative Advisor (non-Land Grant Universities).

To develop a new project (activity), submit: Project number; title; duration (five-years); statement of issues/justification; related/current/previous work (citations); objectives; and methods (can be entered at: WERA_TEMP_1321). Appendix E includes: name; email address; organization; objectives; classification (research problem area/subject); FTE and SY (Scientist Years). See AES Project Information Required for Appendix E (http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES/projs/appxe/topfr.htm). Once completed materials are sent to the Administrative Advisor, he will approve and forward.

Please send new WERA-102 Objectives to the Administrative Advisor: by January 15, 2005 with final proposal due in March 2005; or by May 15, 2005 - with final proposal due in July 2005. The renewal will be effective from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2010. Lee's discussion included a MS Power Point presentation (2004 Sommers.ppt) and a copy of the NIMSS User Manual (nimssman.pdf).

Accomplishments

Wyoming - Jan Curtis (Wyoming State Climatologist; http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/wsc/wsc.html) reported on drought issues, including agricultural funding to support expanding the CoCoRaHS (http://new.cocorahs.org/) monitoring network throughout Wyoming. There are now about 100 stations, with 2 - 3 times expansion in one year alone. However, farm services participation is critical. Also, the Wyoming Climate Atlas is now available with updates on-line (http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/wsc/climateatlas/title_page.html). Hard copies are also available: $10 ea for CD-ROM; $25 + $5 shipping and handling for printed. Originally developed over two years at $700K with USGS-WRD seed money, it takes about $150K per year soft money to update (about 50% water and 50% climate support). Jan used a MS Power Point presentation to accompany his talk (2004 Curtis.ppt). <br /> <br /> USDI-Bureau of Land Management - Scott Archer (Senior Air Resource Specialist, National Science and Technology Center) gave an update on the Interagency Remote Automated Weather Station network operated by BLM (RAWS; http://www.nifc.gov/nifctour/remsens.html): out of about 2,300 stations total, about 200 only report once daily (via telephone) and about 500 are inoperative for a variety of reasons. All other stations report weather data hourly. Recent data are provided via the web by the NWS (http://raws.boi.noaa.gov/rawsobs.html) and the MesoWest (http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/mesonet/), with archived data available from the WRCC (http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/wraws/). RAWS data are reported from 48 States (we are missing CT, DC and MA) plus Guam and British Columbia. Numerous local agencies and organizations now link to RAWS, including the City of Beverly Hills (90210), California. More information is available on-line (http://www.fs.fed.us/raws/), including a web-based newsletter. In addition, BLM is pursuing funding to support CoCoRaHS expansion, particularly with rural families who utilize the Public Lands. Finally, Scott asked Committee members if they had any experience/research concerning changes in snowmelt and resulting stream flow in the last few years throughout the West. Several potential leads were provided, including: Philip Mote, University of Washington (http://www.cses.washington.edu/cig/outreach/presentfiles/Mote_SenateTestimony_050604.pdf); <br /> Tom Pagano, NRCS (http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/73003.pdf); Gregory McCabe, USGS (http: //wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/SW_precip_runoff/McCabe/papers/snowcc/snowclus.newmod.paper.awra.html); <br /> Alan Hamlet, UC-B (http://www.x-cd.com/mcss04/papers/P29.pdf); Jessica Lundquist, Scripps Institute (http://tenaya.ucsd.edu/~dettinge/Lundquist_synchmelt.pdf); and Kelly Redmond, WRCC (http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/85170.pdf). <br /> <br /> New Mexico - Ted Sammis (New Mexico State Climatologist; http://weather.nmsu.edu/) described an ongoing study to model potential Phytophthora root rot disease of chile pepper plants (Capsicum annum) using meteorology and soil parameters. Jones and Kiniry (1986. Ceres-N Maize: a simulation model of maize growth and development. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Temple, TX) developed the basic algorithms, where observed TMAX, TMIN, solar radiation, soil albedo/bulk density/moisture are used to predict soil temperatures at multiple depths (2, 4, 8, 20 and 40 inches). Threshold temperatures (15, 25 and 35 degrees) can then be identified based on a previous one-year observation record. Although this predictive methodology can not be used to identify frost depth, it is a useful, first-order approximation. Ted used a MS Power Point presentation to accompany his talk (2004 Sammis.ppt). <br /> <br /> California - Joyce Strand (Coordinator, Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California-Davis; http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html) described the Western Integrated Pest Management Centers coordination of IPM issues throughout California, including processing grants and strategic planning efforts. There is a need for quality, real-time weather data to support agriculture/business, especially for pests infestation and crop modeling. For example, the Integrated Pest Management Center has an on-line degree-day calculator (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/WEATHER/ddretrieve.html). They are using an interagency Weather Systems Working Group to support IPM efforts, with plans to build risk understanding into various degree-day period calculations. When asked about measured (instrumented) v. calculated leaf wetness, Joyce indicated that some groups believe they can calculate the condition better than measuring it. Joyce also used a MS Power Point presentation to accompany her talk (2004 Strand.ppt). <br /> <br /> USDA-Forest Service - Francis Fujioka (Research Meteorologist, Pacific Southwest Research Station <br /> Forest Fire Laboratory; http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/) has worked with Tim Brown (DRI; http://www.cefa.dri.edu/) on fire management issues, and has been particularly involved in the MM5/Farsite fire behavior model applications (http://farsite.org/) and the Hawaii Fire Danger Rating System (http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/65639.pdf). Francis - MS Power Point presentation (2004 Fujioka.ppt) focused on lessons learned from the October 2003 southern California wildfires. <br /> <br /> USDI-Bureau of Reclamation - Peter Palmer (AgriMet Program Coordinator; http://www.usbr.gov/pn/agrimet/) presented both a detailed written report (2004 Palmer.pdf), as well as an oral summary of the satellite-based network of automated agricultural weather stations located in irrigated agricultural areas throughout the Pacific Northwest. These data are used for regional crop water use modeling, agricultural research, frost monitoring, and integrated pest and fertility management. For example, data provided to individual farmers and irrigators is used to help them apply the proper amount of irrigation to crops at the right time. Potential program benefits include conservation of water and power resources, improved agricultural production, reduced soil erosion, and improved surface and ground water quality.<br /> <br /> Colorado - Nolan Doesken (Climatologist and Senior Research Associate; http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/) went on-line to demonstrate the Colorado Climate Center's new Home, and toured the site showing the capabilities and available resources. The growing CoAgMet program (http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/%7Ecoagmet/) is now nearing 60 hourly reporting weather stations, designed to provide those data that would be most useful to a broad spectrum of agricultural customers. Similarly, the voluntary CoCoRaHS program (http://new.cocorahs.org/) is rapidly expanding, both within Colorado and into neighboring States. Nearly 900 volunteers report the previous 24-hour rain, snow and hail information each morning, based on 4 inch storage gauges, snow boards and custom hail pads. <br /> <br /> Idaho - Russ Qualls (State Climatologist; http://snow.ag.uidaho.edu/index.html) assisted the Idaho Transportation Department with their plans to re-align highway US-95, by identifying various climatic conditions (such as fog formation, visibility, frost/ice, etc) for alternative routes. Russ presentation led to Committee discussion regarding new, solid state temperature/humidity sensors/logger, such as the iButton sensors (http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/ibutton/ibuttons/thermochron.cfm). When combined with a simple radiation shield (such as NMCC's Temperature Sensor Shelter), these inexpensive sensors/loggers may be very useful.<br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Voluntary CoCoRaHS program (http://new.cocorahs.org/) is rapidly expanding, both within Colorado and into neighboring States. Nearly 900 volunteers report the previous 24-hour rain, snow and hail information each morning, based on 4 inch storage gauges, snow boards and custom hail pads.
2. The AgriMet program contributes to conservation of water and power resources, improved agricultural production, reduced soil erosion, and improved surface and ground water quality.
3. Wyoming Climate Atlas is now available with updates on-line (http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/wsc/climateatlas/title_page.html)

Back to top