- PAMS MINI-TECHNICAL CONFERENCE, MARCH 10TH, 2000
On March 10th, the PAMS held its Mini-Technical Conference at USC.
The first presentation was
done by Robert Buckley and Charles Hunter from the Savannah River Site.
In their presentation,
they talked about the importance of reliable meteorological data for
controlled burning for the
reduction of risk to both humans and the environment. The next
presentation was done on a study
concerning the Soil Moisture Measurements at the Savannah River Site.
This presentation was given
by Matthew Parker and Robert Buckley of from the Savannah River Technology
center. The third
presentation was given by Allen Weber, Matthew Parker, and J. Weber.
This presentation covered
a study done on Wind Gust Statistics at the Savannah River Site.
The study was composed from a
10 year data set to analyze the maximum wind gusts measured at a 2-4
meter height. The next
presentation was presented by Paul Martin and Clay Lawson from the
Department
of Health and
Environmental Control.
This presentation included the explanations of the models used by
SCDHEC to determine whether facilities that emit criteria and/or air
toxics are in compliance with
State and Federal Regulations. The fifth presentation was given
by Clay Lawson and Paul Martin
concerning SC's Ozone Forecasting Program. 1999 was the 2nd year
in Ozone Forecasting for SC.
The results from the 1999 season were fairly similar to the results
in the 1998 ozone season. The
meteorological staff at DHEC presented the results and the methods
for forecasting Ground level
Ozone and previewed the new SC
Ground-level Ozone Forecast web page.
Charles Hunter, Alan Weber, and Jilene Weber presented a study on the
Observed trends
in the Savannah River Site Temperature and Precipitation Data.
Jilene's statistical background
combined with Charles Hunter's and Allen Weber's meteorological background
produced an
interesting study on the Observed Trends in the Savannah River Site
Temperature and Precipitation
Data. The study showed how warming has occurred in this region
during the past 30 years. It was
shown in the presentation that most of the warming has occurred from
the minimum temperature
during the past 30 years. The study also showed that their has
been a general increase in the amount
of precipitation during the past 30 years. Hope Mizzell from
the SC Department of Natural
Resources talked about the
Drought Program in SC. The presentation included the explanation
of
the Drought Response Act which was developed in 1985. Hope talked
about the procedures used
in determining whether or not a drought should be posted for SC.
Dr Greg Carbone and Chris Locke from USC presented the results of the
CERES and CROPGRO
model runs for predicting Regional Climate Change over the Southeastern
US. In the presentation,
it was shown how that climate change may decrease crop yields over
Eastern portions of the region
and little change over the northern and western regions of the Southeast.
The final presentation was
given by Dale Linvill from the Agricultural Weather Office at Clemson
University. Dr Linvil's study
was concerned about moisture and temperature stress and it's relation
to cotton rot.
After the Mini-Technical Conference, the PAMS met at California Dreaming
for dinner. New
officers were also elected. Clay
Lawson from SCDHEC is the new president of the AMS. Clay has
a B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of NC at Asheville
and some graduate work at
Iowa State. Robert Addis
is now the current vice-president of the PAMS. Robert works at the
Westinghouse Savannah River Company. SmSgt. Andy
Million of the 28th OWG, Shaw AFB, was
elected the new secretary/treasurer.
- SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING, MARCH 24TH, 2000
On March 24, Jon Barry, Robert Buckley, Greg Carbone, and Greg Rice
of the Palmetto Chapter of
the AMS participated as judges at the 44th Annual Region II Science
and Engineering Fair in
Columbia, SC. One winner from the Junior level (grades 5-8) and
one winner from the Senior level
(grades 9-12) were awarded prizes based on their projects related to
atmospheric science. A
certificate from the AMS, as well as two books were awarded to each
winner. These books are the
National Audobon Society Handbook of North American Meteorology and
Hands-On Meteorology,
by Z. Sorbjan.
- TENTATIVE DATE FOR NEXT MEETING...
We are tentatively planning our next PAMS meeting to be held on May
20th in Charleston.