Talking about the weather isn't always just idle chitchat. Some people take it
very seriously — and, as it so happens, they are descending on Summit County
this week.
Leading scientists and meteorologist will converge in
Breckenridge on Monday for the 24th annual Glen Gerberg Weather and Climate
Summit, which lasts through Jan. 18.
Television meteorologist from local
networks to CNN to The Weather Channel will join climate scientists from NOAA
and various universities to discuss the changing state of our
weather.
StormCenter Communications, Inc. is co-organizing the multi-day
event, which will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel. The summit's
objective is “to increase understanding and awareness of extreme weather and
climate events and to foster critical relationships between the media and
scientists,” according to a news release.
Monday's events will begin at
8 a.m. with an introduction from Dale Eck, the Global Forecast Center director
for The Weather Channel and the summit organizer who will kick off every day of
the summit with a weather briefing. A panel discussion on weather preparedness
will follow. After a break, Bob Rutledge, the lead forecaster at NOAA's Space
Weather Prediction Center, will discuss how space weather impacts the
infrastructure outside our planet's atmosphere.
On Tuesday, Greg Carbin,
a warning coordination meteorologist with NOAA and the National Weather Service,
will talk on the latest technology for predicting high-impact weather
events.
At 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Jennifer Francis, a scientist at
Rutgers University, will deliver a lecture titled, “Wacky Weather and the
Disappearing Arctic Sea Ice: Are They Connected?”
“Unprecedented snowfall
in Alaska, the worst drought in two generations, the warmest March on record,
‘Frankenstorm' ... have the weather gods gone mad? It's not your imagination.
Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity all around the
Northern Hemisphere,” Francis writes in the summary of her talk.
Also on
Wednesday, celebrity meteorologist Jim Cantore will speak at a town hall-style
event from 6-7 p.m. Free parking will be available at the Beaver Run parking
lot.
“Last year was the first year we held the Weather Summit in
Breckenridge,” stated summit organizer Eck in a news release. “We were so
impressed with the community, the ski area and the level of interest locals have
in the weather, that we decided it would be fun to include a public event in
this year's program.”
Cantore attended last year's event and agreed to
come back this year and present.
“He is the perfect ambassador from our
conference to discuss weather events and his experience in the field with the
local community,” Eck said.
Cantore has also reported from events such as
the Winter X Games, PGA tournaments, NFL games and more. After NBC Universal's
acquisition of The Weather Channel in 2008, Cantore has occasionally filled in
for Al Roker on “Today.” He also hosted weather segments for NBC during the 2012
Summer Olympics in London, according to a news release.
At 8:30 a.m. on
Thursday, Margaret Davidson, the acting director of the NOAA Office of Ocean and
Coastal Resource Management, will deliver a talk entitled, “Sea Level Rose,
Coastal Vulnerability and Extreme Events — How Big Should My Water Wings
Be?”
At 10:15 a.m., Jeff Lukas with the University of Colorado will talk
about what trees can tell us about extreme droughts.
Each day of the
summit will end with a question and answer session with the speakers.
The
Glen Gerberg Weather and Climate Summit, established in 1985 to bring together
television weathercasters and meteorologist with leading scientists and
researchers, allows for an exchange of ideas to foster improved communication
and collaboration between the media and the science community. The ultimate
outcome of this summit is the establishment of improved media-scientist
relationships that fosters continued dialogue for improved scientific
communication to the public, according to a news release.
The summit is
sponsored by Breckenridge Ski Resort,Vail Resorts, Breckenridge Resort Chamber,
Double Tree by Hilton Breckenridge and Image Audiovisual.
“Weather
extremes and adaptation to the changes that are occurring are becoming
increasingly part of our daily lives,” event organizers said in a news release.
“The impacts can be felt from our local regions to our wallets. These extremes
are affecting business, politics, transportation, agriculture and
infrastructure. The impacts of Superstorm Sandy will be far-reaching with costs
over the next few years exceeding $50 to $100 billion.”
