NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON EXPERIMENT (NAME) An internationally coordinated, joint US-Mexico process study aimed at improving warm season precipitation prediction.

NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON EXPERIMENT (NAME)EXPERIMENT (NAME)

An internationally coordinated,joint US-Mexico process study aimed at improving warm season precipitation prediction over North America.

NAME Homepage:http://www.joss.ucar.edu/name

Dr. Wayne Higgins

Lead Scientist for NAME and Principal Climate Scientist

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s

Climate Prediction Center

Camp Spring, Maryland

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WHO IS INVOLVED WHO IS INVOLVED IN NAME 2004?IN NAME 2004?

The NAME 04 Field Campaign involves researchers from more than 30 universities, government laboratories and federal agencies in several countries (United States, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica).

The NAME Forecast Operations Centers (Tucson, AZ & Mexico City, MX),

involve more than 40 forecasters (NWS, USAF, SMN, private, and retired). There are at least 15 WFO’s and 4 NCEP Centers (CPC, HPC, SPC, TPC)

that are providing forecasters, forecast assistance and / or special launches.

The NAME Science Working Group (responsible for implementing NAME

science) involves 19 senior scientists from the US, Mexico and Central America

The NAME Project Office (UCAR/JOSS, Boulder, CO) provides scientific, technical and administrative support services to NAME04.

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PARTICIPATING AGENCIES AND INSTITUTES

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IMPLICATIONS FOR DROUGHT MONITORING AND PREDICTION

NAME will improve warm season precipitation forecasts (short range, monthly, seasonal) over North America;

Improved warm season precipitation forecasts are of tremendous value (e.g. in areas where water is relatively scarce, such as the Desert Southwest);

This year much of the western United States is facing droughtconditions. NAME will deliver models that are more capable of anticipating droughts months to seasons in advance.

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WHAT IS THE NAME 2004 WHAT IS THE NAME 2004 FIELD CAMPAIGN?FIELD CAMPAIGN?

The NAME 2004 Field Campaign is an unprecedented opportunity to gather extensive atmospheric, oceanic, and land-surface observations in the core region of the North American Monsoon over NW Mexico, SW United States, and adjacent oceanic areas.

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NAME 2004 INSTRUMENT PLATFORMS

The NAME 2004 Field Campaign will gather data frommore than 20 different types of instrument platforms, including:•Surface Met Stations (84 in Mexico)•Radars (SMN, NCAR S-POL)•Wind Profilers (NCAR ISS’s and NOAA/ETL & AL)•Radiosondes / PIBALS•Rain gauge Networks (event logging; cooperative)•Aircraft (NOAA P-3)•Research Vessels (R/V Altair and R/V Francisco de Ulloa)•Satellite Data (JCSDA)•Soil Moisture Sensors & Remote Sensing•GPS Precipitable Water

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NAME TEACHERS IN THE FIELD

NAME will have two “Teachers in the Field”Rhonda Feher is an elementary school teacher

from Kayenta, Arizona. Her school is located on the Navajo Nation reservation .

Selection of a teacher from Mexico is in progress

NAME Teachers in the Field will participate in NAME aircraft, ship and FOC activities, will do live broadcasts into the classroom, and will help develop NAME teaching materials.

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NAME EDUCATION MODULE(K-12)

NAME is compiling an Education Module for K-12. The Module will be completed by 31 August in time for FY05 school year.

The North American Monsoon Table of Contents

•Why Predict the Monsoon? •What is a Monsoon? •A Case Study •Monsoons and Climate •Learning from the Past •Winds, Precipitation, and Food •When the Winds Reverse•How the Land and Sea Affect the Monsoon •Global Consequences of Monsoons •Monsoon Prediction •How Predictions are Used: An Example •Looking Ahead

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U.S. Forecast Operations CenterU.S. Forecast Operations Center

Erik Pytlak, U.S. Forecast Operations CenterErik Pytlak, U.S. Forecast Operations Center

Science and Operations OfficerScience and Operations Officer

NOAA National Weather Service, TucsonNOAA National Weather Service, Tucson

Dr. Robert MaddoxDr. Robert Maddox

Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Atmospheric SciencesAdjunct Professor, Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences

University of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona

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SCHEDULE

The NAME 2004 Field Campaign will occur during June-September 2004, The NAME 2004 Field Campaign will occur during June-September 2004, with Intensive Observing Periods (as conditions warrant) during with Intensive Observing Periods (as conditions warrant) during July 1 – August 15, 2004July 1 – August 15, 2004

Enhanced Observation Period (EOP): June 21- August 31Enhanced Observation Period (EOP): June 21- August 31

Tucson, AZ FOC Forecast Support Begins: June 6Tucson, AZ FOC Forecast Support Begins: June 6

Full Platform Deployment: July 1-August 15Full Platform Deployment: July 1-August 15

Full FOC Forecast Support: July 1-August 19Full FOC Forecast Support: July 1-August 19

Science Director Rotation: June 21 – August 31Science Director Rotation: June 21 – August 31

Monitoring Director Rotation: June 6 – August 31Monitoring Director Rotation: June 6 – August 31

Intense Observing Periods (IOP’s): 20 days during EOPIntense Observing Periods (IOP’s): 20 days during EOP

Most likely to be concentrated in JulyMost likely to be concentrated in July

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SUMMARY

  NAME 2004 is a major field campaign scheduled during June-

September 2004, with intensive observing periods during July 1 – August 15, 2004

NAME 2004 involves more than 30 universities, government labs and federal agencies in the United States, Mexico, Belize and Costa Rica.

NAME will deliver:

• Observing system design for monitoring and predicting the North American monsoon (includes sustained observations);

• More comprehensive understanding of North American summer climate variability and predictability;

• Strengthened scientific collaboration across Pan-America;• Measurably improved climate models that predict North American

summer precipitation months to seasons in advance.