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October 24, 2006 -- Dr. Paul Reasor, FSU Department of Meteorology

On Tuesday, October 24, 2006, the North Florida AMS held its October meeting. President Jessica Fieux opened the meeting with a welcome and announcements. Charlie Woodrum then gave the treasurer’s report. The chapter currently has $1,376. The car wash, which was held September 30th, made $116. October’s social event was held at Cici’s Pizza. By collecting receipts from 6 until 9pm, the chapter made ten percent of all sales: $35. Committee reports followed, and Clark Evans, Programs Committee Chair, spoke first. He announced that the next social event will be held November 9th at Crenshaw Bowling Lanes from 7 until 9 pm. For $5 members may enjoy bowling and pizza. Charlie Woodrum then spoke on behalf of the Membership Committee and announced that the golf tournament will be held sometime in the spring. Katie Walls, chair of the Publicity Committee, proclaimed how successful the most recent bake sale was. The Chapter made over $50 by selling everything in less than three hours! The next bake sale will be held November 15th. Michael Porter followed Katie with his Science and Education Committee report. The Leon Association of Teachers held “Trick or Treat for Science” at Godby High School on October 25th, which Mike reported to be a great way to make connections and reach out to the local teachers to inform them of our Outreach program. He and his committee are currently working on calling local county schools to notify them about the program.

The featured speaker was Dr. Paul Reasor, who graduated from the University of California in Berkeley with a degree in Physics. Dr. Reasor then received his Ph.D. from Colorado State University. He has been as assistant professor since 2003 at the Florida State University for the Department of Meteorology. Dr. Reasor discussed the rapid cyclogenisis, intensification and weakening of hurricanes. Unfortunately, there has been very little improvement on forecasting hurricanes since hurricanes began being observed by scientists. Dr. Reasor used Hurricane Dolly of 1996 as an example of rapid cyclogenesis. Hurricane Guillermo exemplified rapid intensification, meaning its wind speeds increased to over thirty knots in twenty-four hours. Dr. Reasor is currently trying to determine if vertical wind shear contributes to small scale convective bursts, which then contributes to rapid intensification. He stated that most convective bursts occurred during rapid intensification; thus, it is certainly possible. He is also studying how convective heating contributes to rapid intensification and how mature hurricanes resist vertical wind shear.

Our next meeting will be November 28th.

For more information: Jessica Fieux, northflams@gmail.com. Report submitted by Katie Walls, Secretary.