97th AMS Annual Meeting | 22–26 January 2017 | Seattle, WA

Observation Symposium: Progress, Problems, and Prospects

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Presentation Topics

The purpose of the symposium is to identify the most critically needed observing systems and assess their current capabilities and deficiencies. The symposium will comprise four sessions of invited papers and one 90-minute poster session. Space-based and ground-based observing systems making both remote and in situ measurements will be featured. The short list includes satellite measurements of temperature, moisture, and wind profiles; of gaseous and aerosol pollutants; of lightning, global precipitation, cloud cover, and solar flux; and of impending solar storms. Also featured will be surface and near-surface measurements of temperature, humidity, wind, solar flux, soil and water parameters (in rivers, streams, and the ocean), electrical discharges, and boundary layer properties. Such measurements come from mesonets, pyranometers, radars, lidars, ceilometers, lightning detection networks, aircraft, and submersible devices at sea.

      Poster presentations on any of the above topics or any other environmental observing system considered vital to commerce or public safety are solicited. Each presentation should address the following:

  • Why is the type of observation important (what needs does it address)?
  • How is the physical quantity observed (measurement technique)? Answer very briefly.
  • How adequate is the current capability to observe this quantity?  Address coverage and accuracy. List deficiencies, in particular, the greatest unmet need.
  • How are the observations being used? (Examples: data assimilation, real-time analysis, statistical modeling, data analytics, decision-making, machine learning)
  • What are the prospects for improving the observation (expanded coverage; new or emerging technologies)?

    Please visit the abstract submission page for additional guidelines on the session topics.

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline: 8 August 2016
Acceptance Emails Sent: late-September 2016

Joint Sessions

Abstract Fee

The $95 abstract fee  (payable by credit card or purchase order) is refundable only if your abstract is not accepted.

What's Included

Your fee includes your abstract, extended abstract (optional), and your recorded oral presentation posted to the online program which is available to all visitors for free. 

Program Chair(s)

For additional information please contact the program chairpersons, Tom Schlatter or Kevin Petty.