HMT Scientists Presented with California DWR Climate Science Service Award
May 10, 2013
HMT scientists Marty Ralph and Allen White of the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory's Physical Sciences Division (PSD), were awarded the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) annual Climate Science Service Award in San Diego, California, on April 30th.
"DWR is pleased to acknowledge the exemplary assistance that these scientists have provided to us, and we look forward to a productive long-term working relationship in improving the ability to understand, monitor, and forecast extreme precipitation in California", said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "This cooperative research effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and DWR has provided tremendous information about atmospheric river storms and their role in flood events and contribution to the state's water supply."
This award recognizes PSD's role in developing and implementing a cooperative partnership between HMT and DWR's Enhanced Flood Response and Emergency Preparedness program to design and install a 21st century observing system for extreme precipitation in California. The knowledge gained from this research project already is being used to improve forecasting of atmospheric river storms such as those that reached California in late November/early December 2012, refilling reservoir storage and saving the state from what otherwise would have been a very dry year. The research identified a major gap in existing hydrometeorological monitoring and precipitation forecasting – the limited ability to track and quantify water vapor transport across the Pacific Ocean and into California – and developed new methodologies and monitoring technologies to fill this gap.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
Contact: Allen White
