Author: Travis Swaim

ESSIC Research Associate, Joseph Munchak, was recognized at an annual NASA / GSFC Earth Sciences Division – Atmospheres (Code 610) awards ceremony, which highlights the contribution of contractors. Munchak was selected as “Best Senior Author Publication” for his paper, “A Modular Optimal Estimation Method for Combined Radar-Radiometer Precipitation Profiling.” The paper provides an overview of different methods of sensor precipitation retrievals over various surfaces. The “Best Senior Author …

While the rest of the world nervously watches temperatures grow more extreme, wine producers in Washington state and Oregon may benefit from global climate change, a university researcher found. In his research on climate change and global viticulture, the cultivation of grapevines, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center Director Antonio Busalacchi found wine producers in the cooler regions of Washington and Oregon, as well as Chile, Argentina, Germany and New Zealand, will see more …

An unusual heat wave struck Alaska this past June (2013), with temperatures reaching well into the  80’s and 90’s throughout the state. Instead of temperatures in the mid-60s, the average in places near Anchorage, people were basking in the sun and visiting local beaches in response to the unusually high temperatures. Unofficial readings of 98°F were recorded in northern parts of Alaska near Talkeetna, which would tie the highest recorded temperature in the area. Anchorage felt the heat …

ESSIC Director and Council on the Environment Chair, Antonio Busalacchi, recently participated in a two-day workshop in Cork, Ireland, where he spoke on the role of the oceans in climate. The workshop was attended by a group of approximately 30 scientists, who met to discuss how Ireland – a country of comparatively small size – can utilize its own unique resources to participate in “big science.” The workshop was co-chaired by UM Vice President of Research Pat O’Shea. “This was an initial …

ESSIC Director and ConE Chair, Professor Antonio Busalacchi, was interviewed in a recent televised Fox news segment, regarding aging U.S weather satellites. In the report, FOX stated that 14 of the 22 U.S. satellites currently used to monitor weather, have already reached their designed expiration dates. Aging satellites could be particularly problematic in the near-term, given NOAA’s recent prediction of an active hurricane season. Estimates include 20 tropical weather systems this year, …

Science Direct published two articles that ESSIC/AOSC Professor Raghu Murtugudde contributed to in their June 2013, vol. 5 issue 2 edition of Current Opinion of Environmental Sustainability. The first article, A global science–policy partnership for progress toward sustainability of oceanic ecosystems and fisheries, explained the problems associated with deterioration of oceanic fisheries, and the causes, which include over-fishing and climate change among other issues. The piece proposed …

ESSIC associate research scientist, Hongbin Yu, recently provided commentary in a NASA post on wildfire smoke traveling across the Eastern Atlantic. The NASA Earth Observatory circulated a satellite image Jul-02-2013, that displays wildfire smoke aerosol concentrations originating in Quebec, which subsequently traveled across the Atlantic Ocean. In the interview, Yu explained which satellite sensors are best suited to observe this type of smoke transportation process. “Unlike MODIS and MISR, …

ESSIC Director and ConE Chair, Professor Antonio Busalacchi, recently spoke at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington on climate change and wine production across the world. The seminar entitled, “Impact of Climate Change on Global Viticulture,” discussed the impact of observed and projected climate changes on 24 of the world’s major wine producing regions. Busalacchi’s findings conclude that certain wine producing regions will be more affected by climate change than …

Thursday, 27 June 2013

The Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS), a cooperative institute between the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced the appointment of a new Executive Director, effective July 1, 2013.

Dean of the UMCP College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS), Jayanth R. Banavar, based on the recommendation of the CICS Executive Board, announced the selection of UMD Professor Fernando