# Presentation: 741681

## 61st Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference

**March 5 - 9, 2007**

**61****st**** Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference**

## ---

**Mr. Samuel P. Williamson**
**Federal Coordinator for Meteorology**

**CLOSING / WRAPUP REMARKS  ****--- ****61st INTERDEPARTMENTAL****HURRICANE CONFERENCE**

**Notes:**
  Welcome to the closing session of the 59th IHC
  Fantastic conference...
  Great location and hosts...
  Mayor Peyton and his staff,
  Craig Fugate and his great banquet talk 
  Becky Shaeffer and her staff here at the Radisson River Walk Hotel...absolutely outstanding support
  Excellent presentations 
  Insightful discussions 
  Lively collaborations, exchanges of information, and interaction taking place at the beaks and after conference hours
  Exactly what we had hoped for

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## Objective Results
Successes And Challenges
Action Items/Next Steps
Feedback
Special Recognition
Location for Future IHCs
Thank You

**Successes And Challenges**
**Action Items/Next Steps**
**Feedback**
**Special Recognition**
**Location for Future IHCs**
**Thank You**

**Overview**

**Notes:**
Here’s a quick look at what I will cover in the next few minutes as we close this year’s conference.

## Review the Nation’s tropical cyclone forecast and warning program form end-to-end, and update the National Hurricane Operations Plan for 2007
Evaluate the 2006 Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) results and successfully transition research results into operations, as well as potential candidates for 2007 and beyond
Address/build upon the actions and results from the 60th IHC
Roll out the Interagency Strategic Research Plan for Tropical Cyclones: The Way Ahead and begin addressing recommendations
Examine how hazard risk reduction improvements can be made through stronger partnerships and alliances

**Evaluate the 2006 Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) results and successfully transition research results into operations, as well as potential candidates for 2007 and beyond**
**Address/build upon the actions and results from the 60****th**** IHC**
**Roll out the *****Interagency Strategic Research Plan for Tropical Cyclones: The Way Ahead *****and begin addressing recommendations**
**Examine how hazard risk reduction improvements can be made through stronger partnerships and alliances**

**Conference Objectives**

**Notes:**
I believe we accomplished the overarching objectives we set for this 59th IHC.  
We reviewed the Nation’s tropical cyclone forecast and warning program, and are ready to update the National Hurricane Operations Plan for 2005.
We evaluated lessons learned from the 2004 season, with a focus on Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne which made landfall in Florida.
We evaluated the Joint Hurricane Test bed (JHT) as a model for transitioning successful research results into operations and identify future research needs.
We validated the ongoing efforts to develop a framework for a comprehensive R&D plan which documents and prioritizes research needs based on the required operational capability and establishes a roadmap ahead, and with your inputs we are now ready to move forward to complete that plan.  Thanks for the great input.   
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** ****Successes****	**
**Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecast System (ATCF)**
**Advances in modeling / data assimilation (HWRF)**
**Joint Hurricane Test bed (JHT)**
**Joint hurricane field programs**
**Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer—operational on the WC-130J for the 2007 season**
**Challenges**
**Data assimilation / modeling / computing power**
**Improved forecast skill for:**
**Storm intensity / structure**
**Storm track**
**Sea state & storm surge**
**Inland flooding**
**Observation gaps (e.g., ocean surface vector winds)**
**Information dissemination (technology, message)**
**Incorporating results of social science research into operations**

**Successes and Challenges**

**Notes:**
As we heard many times this week, we still have big challenges facing us as we work to continue to improve the Nation’s hurricane forecast and warning program.  
I think we can agree we still need improved forecast accuracy for hurricane: 

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## 59TH IHC Action Items
Develop a Strategic Plan for Improved Tropical Cyclone Reconnaissance Systems (ITCRS) (manned, unmanned, spaced-based, etc.)
TC Strategic Research Plan recommendation
Facilitate bringing together the web site owners from NOAA (e.g., HRD, NHC), Navy, etc. to improve linkages for supporting R&D
Action deferred to new Working Group for Tropical Cyclone Research

**Develop a Strategic Plan for Improved Tropical Cyclone Reconnaissance Systems (ITCRS) (manned, unmanned, spaced-based, etc.)**
**TC Strategic Research Plan recommendation**
**Facilitate bringing together the web site owners from NOAA (e.g., HRD, NHC), Navy, etc. to improve linkages for supporting R&D**
**Action deferred to new Working Group for Tropical Cyclone Research**

**Action Items / Next Steps**

**Notes:**
  The next two slides show the overarching action items we picked up on during this week.
  If you believe there are others, please let us know now as we go over the ones we have captured here.
  The actions we captured are.... 

## 60th IHC Action Items:
Additional funding should be solicited to allow inclusion of social science research into the activities of the Joint Hurricane Testbed without compromising current projects
TC Strategic Research Plan Recommendation

**Additional funding should be solicited to allow inclusion of social science research into the activities of the Joint Hurricane Testbed without compromising current projects**
**TC Strategic Research Plan Recommendation**

**Action Items / Next Steps**

**Notes:**
  Continuing on, we have these actions....

## 60th IHC Action Items:
NWS should work with diverse user groups to develop and test message format modifications
It is recommended that, rather than try to modify the current system, researchers start from scratch and develop new formats and products based on the latest communication techniques
Two types of messages should be considered: technical and actionable
Current Status: Work ongoing

**NWS should work with diverse user groups to develop and test message format modifications**
**It is recommended that, rather than try to modify the current system, researchers start from scratch and develop new formats and products based on the latest communication techniques**
**Two types of messages should be considered: **_**technical**_** and **_**actionable**_
**Current Status: Work ongoing**

**Action Items / Next Steps**

**Notes:**
  Continuing on, we have these actions....

## 60th IHC Action Items:
Empirical research should be encouraged and supported to develop and test modifications to current terminology used to define levels of hurricane threat (e.g., watch, warning, CAT 1-5, etc.)
The OFCM will coordinate bringing together the appropriate federal agencies to begin the process of reviewing and improving the National hurricane warning “system”
Key recommendations of the TC Strategic Research Plan
Completed exploratory review at two locations—Charleston, SC, and Mobile, AL.  Final report is in the works

**Empirical research should be encouraged and supported to develop and test modifications to current terminology used to define levels of hurricane threat (e.g., watch, warning, CAT 1-5, etc.)**
**The OFCM will coordinate bringing together the appropriate federal agencies to begin the process of reviewing and improving the National hurricane warning “system”**
**Key recommendations of the TC Strategic Research Plan**
**Completed exploratory review at two locations—Charleston, SC, and Mobile, AL.  Final report is in the works**

**Action Items / Next Steps**

**Notes:**
  Continuing on, we have these actions....

## 61st  IHC Action Items:
Revise NHOP and publish by May 15, 2007
Establish Working Group for Tropical Cyclone Research
Implement the Interagency Strategic Research Plan for Tropical Cyclones: The Way Ahead
Develop a succinct 10-year implementation plan to address the strategic plan’s research priorities and update annually
Establish a Joint Action Group to develop a strategic/ implementation plan for improved tropical cyclone reconnaissance and surveillance systems 

**Revise NHOP and publish by May 15, 2007**
**Establish Working Group for Tropical Cyclone Research**
**Implement the *****Interagency Strategic Research Plan for Tropical Cyclones: The Way Ahead***
**Develop a succinct 10-year implementation plan to address the strategic plan’s research priorities and update annually**
**Establish a Joint Action Group to develop a strategic/ implementation plan for improved tropical cyclone reconnaissance and surveillance systems **

**Action Items / Next Steps**

**Notes:**
  Continuing on, we have these actions....

## http://www.ofcm.gov/

**http://www.ofcm.gov/**

**Presentations and other material will be available on the OFCM web site shortly after the IHC.**
**Click on “Special Projects” and navigate to the 60****th**** IHC.**

**Presentation Availability**

**Notes:**
At the conclusion of the conference, we will make available to you, on our web site all the presentations and other materials you’ve seen here.  Our web address is show here.
We plan to post this material within three weeks following the conference.

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## FEEDBACK

**Robert.Dumont@noaa.gov**
**Mark.Welshinger@noaa.gov**
**(301) 427-2002**

**FEEDBACK**
**IS**
** ****WELCOME**

**Notes:**
As always, feedback is always welcome and encouraged

Pass to either Bob Dumont or myself

Email addresses and our phone number are shown here 

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## Participants
Session Leaders / Moderators / Chairpersons / Panelists / Rapporteurs
 OFCM / STC Staff 
Marriott New Orleans at the Convention Center
Governor Blanco’s Office
Mayor Nagin’s Office, City of New Orleans, LA
Media Support

**Session Leaders / Moderators / Chairpersons / Panelists / Rapporteurs**
** ****OFCM / STC Staff **
**Marriott New Orleans at the Convention Center**
**Governor Blanco’s Office**
**Mayor Nagin’s Office, City of New Orleans, LA**
**Media Support**

**SPECIAL RECOGNITION**

**Notes:**
  A sincere thank you to our participants...you make this conference!!
  And a special thanks to all of our conference leaders, moderators, chairpersons, and all the other folks that helped make this conference run so smoothly.
  Thanks for the fine support of our co-host.... The Oceanographer of the Navy and the additional assistance they provided from Jacksonville NAS public affairs office by Pat Dooling, and assistance to our tech support staff by Kelly Howard. 
  My whole hearted thanks to Bob Dumont and my entire OFCM and supporting STC staff ...a huge amount of hard work and long hours went into this conference and it certainly paid off ....thanks!
  Thanks to the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel staff who worked every request we had for them with an absolutely prompt and professional attitude.
Becky Shaeffer and her staff for conference coordination help
Phil Shake for audio visual support.
  Thanks to Dawn Erlich, Carolyn Serey, and Carmelitta Riley for registration support
  I want to especially thank the Mayor’s office for supporting our conference and extending us a super warm and sunny welcome to Jacksonville.
  And last but definitely not least...a very special thanks to The Weather Channel for their support of our conference, as well as the gracious support from the Jacksonville media.  
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## 62nd IHC is tentatively slated for Charleston, SC,  in March 2008.  The back-up location will be Tampa, FL. 
63rd IHC is tentatively slated for Biloxi, MS.  Cohosted by the 403 Wg/53 WRS

**63****rd**** IHC is tentatively slated for Biloxi, MS.  Cohosted by the 403 Wg/53 WRS**

**Location of Future IHCs**

**Notes:**
Next year we have set our sights on New Orleans.  We look forward to yet another successful conference.

And on to Tampa in 2007.

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## Thank you for attending and participating in this conference!

**Thank you for attending and participating in this conference!**

**Have a safe trip home...**

**And Thanks Again!**

**Thank You!**

**Notes:**
  Have a safe trip home and again THANKS for making this 59th IHC a success !!!

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