Each chapter meeting features a weather briefing by one of the members. The weather pattern during the month since the previous meeting, including significant events and departures from normal, are reviewed and a forecast for the short and long term are presented. Weather briefings are given on a volunteer basis, and no experience is required. Assistance for new presenters can be provided by other chapter members and by following the link below to obtain the necessary data and analysis. This forum is an excellent way to gain experience in conducting formal or informal weather briefings.
Due to the fact that the Reno-Lake Tahoe AMS Student Chapter contains members from such organizations as the Desert Research Institute, the National Weather Service and the University of Nevada-Reno, our chapter is able to attract speakers to give presentations at chapter meetings on operational forecasting and the latest atmospheric science research. Chapter members also occasionally participate in roundtable discussions on current issues related to atmospheric science. Below is a list of presentations and discussions which have been given at chapter meetings to date. When possible, the complete presentation has been included.
| March 2006: |
Dr. James E. Church and the 100th Anniversary of the Science of Snow Surveying
Brian F. O'Hara, National Weather Service |
| April 2006: |
Air Sampling Methods for Detection and Characterization of Biofuel Emissions
Nicholas Nussbaum, Desert Research Institute |
|
The European Photoreactor EUPHORE Transformation Experiments
Shahryar Samy, Desert Research Institute |
| May 2006: |
What Can Be Expected During the Upcoming Fire Weather Season in Western Nevada and the Eastern Sierra
Brian Brong, National Weather Service |
| September 2006: |
The Record July 2006 Western U.S. Heat Wave
Brian F. O'Hara, National Weather Service |
| October 2006: |
Avalanche Climatology of the Eastern Sierra Nevada
David Walker, University of Nevada |
| November 2006: |
Mexico City: Confluence of Complex Meteorology and Air Pollution
Lupita Paredes-Miranda and Dr. Pat Arnott, University of Nevada |
| February 2007: |
The Western Regional Climate Center sampler: A taste of recent activities and projects
Dr. Laura Edwards, Western Regional Climate Center |
| March 2007: |
A Closer Look at What Goes On at the Weather Forecasting Side at a U.S. Navy Base
Matthew Young, SGOT Fallon |
| April 2007: |
Model Simulations of Extreme Orographic Precipitation in the Sierra Nevada
Phillip Marzette, Desert Research Institute |
| September 2007: |
Aerosols, Clouds, and Radiation in the Atmosphere
Subashree Mishra, Desert Research Institute |
| October 2007: |
Is Global Warming a Threat to Us or is it Purely Media Sensationalism?
Reno-Lake Tahoe AMS Student Chapter |
| November 2007: |
Probing the World of Clouds and Atmospheric Aerosols Using Sun Photometry
Dr. James C. Barnard, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory |
| December 2007: |
The State of Education in the Atmospheric Sciences
Reno-Lake Tahoe AMS Student Chapter |
| February 2008: |
What Made You Get Involved with the Weather?
Reno-Lake Tahoe AMS Student Chapter |
| March 2008: |
The National Weather Service: An Overview of the NWS and Future Job Prospects
The Sierra Nevada Blizzard of Jan 2008
Chris Smallcomb, National Weather Service |
| April 2008: |
From U.C.L.A. to D.R.I. - Mountain Weather Studies in the Eastern Sierra
Hal Klieforth, Desert Research Institute |
| May 2008: |
Wildland Fire: A Smokejumper's Perspective
Ramona Hull, University of Nevada |
Field Trips
The Reno-Lake Tahoe area contains a number of institutions dedicated to public forecasting (National Weather Service, local TV stations), private forecasting (Fallon Naval Air Station), and atmospheric science related research (Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada - Reno), as well as scenic beauty in which to appreciate the weather of a particular day. This semester the chapter is organizing a number of field trips to take advantage of its Reno setting. These trips are currently in various stages of organization and will be discussed further during future chapter meetings. For the TV station tour, those interested are asked to sign-up at the April meeting.
- 1st Annual AMS student chapter hike
- Tour of KRNV Channel 4 led by Chief Meteorologist Jeff Thompson: Fall 2008
- Tour of National Weather Service and viewing of afternoon balloon launch: Fall 2008
Anyone interested in organizing a tour to another location or simply suggesting a future trip is encouraged to present their idea at a chapter meeting or contact one of the chapter officers. Trips significantly outside the Reno-Lake Tahoe area will be dependent on funding.
Reno Weather Calendars
Since its inception, the Reno-Lake Tahoe AMS Student Chapter has worked to produce a weather calendar which includes photographs of interesting and scenic area weather and information on climate normals and extremes. Chapter members have participated in submitting and aquiring the photographs, researching the climate information, and managing the production and distribution of the calendars. These weather calendars serve as an important fundraising activity for the chapter, as well as the previously mentioned group participation. The first weather calendars, which featured both Reno and Lake Tahoe, were produced for the 2008 calendar year and sold in late 2007 and early 2008. Preparations have already started for the 2009 calendars, including the
search for new photographs.
Check back periodically to learn about more activities of the Reno-Lake Tahoe AMS Student Chapter.