The NOAA Climate Program: Research and Climate Services

1. NOAA Climate Program The NOAA Climate Program: Research and Climate Services Chet Koblinsky Director of the NOAA Climate Program, and Acting Director of the Office of Global Programs Climate Prediction Assessments and Services Workshop, March 9-11, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

2. NOAA Climate Program • Ten years ago NOAA’s climate services were primarily focused on the dissemination of coarsely resolved national seasonal forecasts. • Over the last ten years NOAA has, in close collaboration with decision-makers, conducted research that has enhanced the relevance, value, and accuracy of its data and forecasting tools. • Where should NOAA be in 10-20 years in regard to climate services for climate variability, climate change? Need to develop a vision and roadmap for the future.

3. NOAA Climate Program • The current program stems from NOAA’s commitment to develop a cohesive system that links research, operational climate services, and decision-makers needs.

4. NOAA Climate ProgramVision NOAA’ s MISSION To understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs. BENEFITS TO THE NATION Consistent with its results-oriented approach to strategic planning, NOAA is committed to maximizing the benefits of its products and services to our Nation’s: •Environment •Public Safety •Economy

5. NOAA Climate ProgramMission Goal 2 - Climate Climate is one of the four strategic themes within NOAA. “Understand climate variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond” Climate Services (NAS): The timely production and delivery of useful climate data, information, and knowledge to decision makers. Anticipated Outcomes (Build an end-to-end system) • Increased use and effectiveness of observations and climate information – show the benefit of the observations, provide feedback on what works, what doesn’t work, and what needs to be changed and how.

6. NOAA Climate Program Research to Delivery Information Gathering and Dissemination Research Operations/ Decision-makers NOAA Climate Transition Program

7. External Advisory Groups NOAA Climate Program Office Climate Board Interagency Climate Office Matrix Link NOS NWS NESDIS OAR NMFS Matrix Link OGP, COSP Sea Grant NGDC NCDC NODC CSC, OCRM, CWISE NCEP OCWWS Regions CDC, GFDL RCCs CWISE EMC CPC CSD WFOs/ RFCs Regional Manager RISAs, IRI, Extension NOAA Climate ProgramOrganizational Ideas

8. NOAA Climate Program Elements 1. Climate Observations and Analysis (T. Karl - NESDIS) 50% Observations Data Stewardship Understanding Climate Variability and Change 2. Climate Forcing (D. Albritton - OAR) 20% Global Carbon Cycle Atmospheric Composition 3. Climate Predictions and Projections (A. Leetmaa - OAR) 25% Climate Prediction Climate Change Projections Reducing Model Uncertainty 4. Climate and Ecosystems (N. Cyr - NMFS) 1% 5: Regional Decision Support (R. Livezey NWS, C. Nierenberg - OAR) 4%

9. NOAA Climate ProgramGoal 5 Regional Decision Support: A mature and efficient system for understanding and responding to stakeholder needs for products and services. Outcome – Enhance NOAA’s operational decision support tools to provide climate services for national socio-economic benefits Performance Measure – Provide NWS forecasters scientific training to understand and use NOAA climate forecasts and other climate products, and adapt these products for regional delivery.

10. NOAA Climate ProgramMilestones for Goal 5 Exploratory workshops to identify climate sensitive issues at regional scales. Regional forums to identify research priorities and transfer to operations Develop prototype methods for application of climate information to practical management Transition research products to operations Social science-based studies for context and use of climate information

11. NOAA Climate ProgramExamples • Operational wildfire forecasting a federal and state partnership with NOAA. • Climate implications for estuarine rehabilitation, the CALFED example. • NWS partnerships with FEMA to improve disaster management in Montana. • Climate based risk management NOAA-USDA research-extension partnership.

12. NOAA Climate Program • Where should NOAA be in 10-20 years in regard to climate services for climate variability, climate change?

13. BACKUP

14. Ecosystem sciences • Ecosystems restoration • Endangered species • Flood Control • Water quality • Consumption ECOSYSTEMS WATER RESOURCES • Extreme events • Recreation • Estuarine restoration COASTAL ZONE • Wildfire management • Reforestation options • Controlled burning PLACE-BASED RESEARCH AND DECISION SUPPORT FORESTS Problem Identification And Formulation • Characterizing • & • Communicating Outcomes • Mississippi • Great Lakes shipping • (variable water volume) • Extreme events & • infrastructure • Extreme events & • public safety (insurance) • Policy Contexts • and • Decision-making • Processes • Scientific Resources • And Knowledge • Increase Response • Options • Expanded • Regional Adaptive • Capacity • Identification of key • Knowledge gaps • Risk management • Yield, supply, • price expectation • Trade implications • Development of • Decision Resources • (across scales & communities) TRANSPORTATION AGRICULTURE • Fisheries populations • Production • Energy demand • Conditions for wind • & solar FISHERIES ENERGY • Health • EPA air quality regulation • Vector borne diseases • Asthma HUMAN HEALTH AIR QUALITY