NOAA s Regional Climate Science & Information: Opportunities and Challenges Dr. Wayne Higgins Climate Program Office, Director Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 3, 2017
OUTLINE Increasing Demand for Environmental Information Impacts of a Changing Climate Role of NOAA The Regional Challenge NOAA s Regional Climate Science & Information Status and Next Steps
INCREASING DEMAND The Nation s Health, Security, and Economic Well-being are Tied to Weather and Climate Life and Property Aviation Maritime Space Operations Forests Emergency Management Commerce Ports Energy Hydropower Reservoir Control Infrastructure Construction Agriculture Recreation Ecosystems Health Environment
INCREASING DEMAND A Changing Planet Means Changing Conditions Source: https://health2016.globalchange.gov/climate-change-and-human-health
IMPACTS The Impacts of a Changing Climate
IMPACTS The Impacts of NOAA s Data, Information, Tools and Services ECONOMIC SOCIETAL ENVIRONMENTAL
NOAA s ROLE NOAA s Line Offices
NOAA s ROLE Provide Essential Environmental Data, Information, Tools and Services Observing Systems, Climate Monitoring, and Data Stewardship Understanding and Modeling Predic=ons and Projec=ons Research Assessments Informing Decisions Communica=on and Educa=on Services
NOAA s ROLE With Near-term Forecasts and Long-term Projections WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL- ANNUAL DECADAL LOCAL Regional Snowfall Index Heating & Cooling Degree Days Temperature & Precipitation Outlooks Climate Normals REGIONAL Hurricane Tracks Heat Wave Prediction Drought Outlook Extreme Detection & Attribution NATIONAL AND GLOBAL Drought Monitor Monthly State of the Climate Reports Annual State of the Climate Reports National Climate Assessment
NOAA s ROLE Across All Scales
REGIONAL CHALLENGE What Are the Regional Climate Questions Coming Into NOAA? Why / how did this happen? Will it happen again? If so, how soon and how often? What does it mean where I live? How will this affect or impact my life or livelihood? How will [climate issue X (El Niño)] impact my [valued assets Y (crop)]? Could the problem get worse in the future? What can we do to prevent such events? Should we rebuild? Should we relocate? What can we do to increase our resilience to such events?
REGIONAL CHALLENGE Who is Asking These Questions?
REGIONAL CHALLENGE NOAA s Data and Tools Help Communities Answer Their Climate Questions Hazards Outlook Warn-on-Forecast Storm Surge Outlook Coastal Flooding Impacts Outlook Drought Outlook Precipita=on Outlook Temperature Outlook Tracking ShiKing Fish Distribu=ons
REGIONAL S&I The Goal for NOAA s Regional Climate Science & Information
REGIONAL OVERVIEW Internal Coordination Regional Climate Science and InformaNon Specialists NOAA Headquarters Regional Climate Science & InformaNon Providers
REGIONAL OVERVIEW NOAA has Multiple Entry Points at Regional, State, and Local Levels
REGIONAL OVERVIEW And NOAA is Available 24-Hours a Day Online
REGIONAL OVERVIEW Customers View of NOAA
CURRENT STATUS Status and Next Steps While NOAA leadership agrees that a one-noaa approach to Regional Climate Science & Information is needed, they are not yet aligned on a preferred option and approach. NOAA leadership is considering the cost, timing, and visibility of changes to its regional climate science & information structure. Their discussions are ongoing.
Dr. Wayne Higgins wayne.higgins@noaa.gov 301-734-1263