The meeting was held at the Ichiban Chinese Buffet in Flowood. Our guest speaker was James Spann, chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Meeting Minutes

The first meeting of Jackson Chapter’s NWA/AMS in 2007 was held on Thursday, January 11, 2007, at 7:00 pm, at the new Ichiban Chinese Buffet. The meeting was opened by chapter President Eric Carpenter, with 21 people in attendance.

Discussion was initiated by Eric Carpenter in the opening session, concerning the chapter’s new web page. Carolyn Bryant, Chapter Webmaster, has designed the new Jackson Chapter web page and it is now on-line. The chapter officers will be working on content for the page, including by-laws and other chapter information, to be added soon.

Following the opening session, Eric Carpenter introduced the guest speaker for the evening, James Spann from ABC 33/40 in Birmingham. Mr. Spann began to speak on how we, as meteorologists, are beginning to become disconnected with people with all of the statistics we use. He also spoke on how much the television industry has changed, and will change, since he first began his career in television meteorology. He spoke on his opinion of how to handle severe weather events during a transitional time such as the one we are in now.

For his method, he begins by getting on the air the night before to talk about the expected weather the next day. He also suggests that it would be good to have someone from the National Weather Service join him in this discussion. He also has a live stream of data, internet videos, weather blogs, E-forecasts (which is an email product), and weather faxes to get people the information on the expected weather the night before. The main point he makes is to use the technology that is changing the business to prepare people for the severe weather.

During a severe weather event, Mr. Spann has long form TV coverage of the event. He also has a live internet stream, long form radio coverage, his blog is up to date, and he uses E-Warn (which is a pager system). He also has a system of instant messaging set up that he uses during severe weather. This will allow for him to receive storm reports and get them out on the air as soon as he receives them. He is in contact with the National Weather Service offices, storm spotters, and other weather interests, to get storm-related information.

Mr. Spann also says that we have a False Alarm Rate (FAR) problem that we need desperately to fix. The more we warn and nothing happens, the less our customers will trust us. He suggests that a way to minimize this problem is to train and utilize more “skywatchers.” He also suggests that a skycam network be installed, and that the instant messaging system be better utilized, to get critical information to the National Weather Service for consideration in warning decisions.

Overall, Mr. Spann discusses that with the change in technology, we need to quickly adapt. This is the best way to get information to our public and minimize false alarms. By doing this, our customers will trust us more and react more seriously to warnings issued.

The meeting was adjourned by Eric Carpenter.

Minutes submitted by Ashley Wester.

The meeting was held at the National Weather Service Office in Jackson. Local chapter president and NWS Jackson Meteorologist-in-Charge Alan Gerard gave a presentation on the National Weather Service’s Warning Event Simulator (WES).

Meeting Minutes

The May meeting of the AMS Jackson chapter was held Monday, May 20th at 7 pm, at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Jackson, MS. The topic of the meeting was the new Weather Event Simulator being used by the National Weather Service for hazardous weather training. This presentation was an opportunity for those in attendance to learn more about the current and future status of meteorological training for severe weather, radar meteorology, and the meteorology of other hazardous weather phenomena.

The meeting was opened by President Alan Gerard, and Dave Biggar followed with the treasurer’s report. The next chapter meeting was proposed for late June, and potential topics and speakers were suggested for future meetings. Officer elections were discussed for the 2002-03 chapter year, but an official election did not take place. Nominations were made for the 2002 Susan Oakley award for public service. It was decided that this year’s award should be presented to Bill Weisenberger, Madison County Emergency Management Association Director. Through Mr Weisenberger’s hard work and devotion, recovery has been easier for Madison County residents struck by a devastating F4 tornado last November.

Following the chapter business session, Mr. Gerard began his presentation on the NWS Warning Event Simulator (WES), a training tool being implemented at NWS offices around the country. This simulator follows in the spirit of other training simulators, such as the flight simulator used to train pilots for unexpected emergencies. Through advanced data archiving, the WES recreates a severe weather event, and allows meteorologists to experience the event in a real-time environment. The simulation is run on a linux box running Advanced Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) software. During the simulation, meteorologists are responsible for analyzing the same weather data that was available during the actual event, including all observational, radar, and model data. Based on the data, the meteorologist is responsible for making warning decisions, and issuing warning products.

In his demonstration of the WES, Gerard ran through a simulation of the April 8th, 1998 severe weather outbreak, centered over northern and central Alabama. This case is being used at all NWS simulator sites. During the simulation, Gerard explained weather and radar analysis techniques used by NWS meteorologists in the warning decision making process. He pointed out certain mesoscale features in surface and satellite imagery, that offered important clues to the near storm environment and the expected storm type.

In an effort to increase relations with the media, NWS Jackson, MS has proposed that area broadcast meteorologists experience the WES. The NWS Jackson believes this learning experience would increase their communication with the media during times of severe weather.

Gerard concluded his presentation with a question and answer session. Questions concerning the November 24th tornado outbreak were raised, and Gerard displayed archive data from this event, focusing on the F4 tornado that struck Madison County.

The meeting was adjourned by Alan Gerard.

Minutes submitted by Eric Carpenter.

The meeting was held at the National Weather Service Office in Jackson. This was the first meeting of the 2001/2002 chapter year. Local chapter president Alan Gerard gave a talk on the National Weather Service’s Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS).

Meeting Minutes

The first meeting of the 2001-02 chapter year was held Thursday, October 4th, at the National Weather Service in Jackson, MS. The meeting was opened by chapter President Alan Gerard with 11 people in attendance.

Discussion was initiated by Dr. Paul Croft in the opening session, concerning AMS minority scholarship applications sent to Jackson State University. It was agreed that Jackson AMS Chapter members could participate in review and ranking of the scholarship applications, as in years past.

Possibilities for the next meeting were also discussed. Alan Gerard proposed that we have the next meeting at French Camp astronomical observatory, for observing with its many telescopes. The observatory director, Jim Hill, is willing to do a planetarium show, and a talk regarding weather on other planets.

Following the opening session, Alan Gerard presented his talk on the National Weather Service’s Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS). Mr. Gerard discussed the capabilities of this ground-breaking forecast information and display tool being implemented at Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) around the nation. He gave an overview of the suite of graphical and numerical forecast products generated by the system, and the steps taken in preparing the products. Mr. Gerard discussed implications of the graphical forecasts in conveying particular weather threats, and discussed the advantage of graphical products over traditional text products. Discussion took place concerning how IFPS will change the NWS relationship with local media. The presentation was concluded with a demonstration of IFPS product creation, and a look at IFPS products on the world wide web.

The meeting was adjourned by Alan Gerard.

Minutes submitted by Eric Carpenter.

The meeting was held at the National Weather Service Office in Jackson. The speakers for this meeting were Chapter President Alan Gerard and Paul Croft of Jackson State University.

Meeting Minutes

The second meeting of the chapter year was held at the NWS in Jackson on 30 January 2001. The meeting was opened by Chapter President Alan Gerard. A brief business session followed, and Biggar made a request for annual dues.

Gerard and Paul Croft of Jackson State University then presented “The Record Meso-Snowfall Event of 1997 in Jackson, Mississippi,” which they coauthored. Their presentation dealt with the unforecasted heavy snow – up to eight inches – that fell over much of central Mississippi on 14 December 1997. They noted short-range models were deficient in picking up the surprise snowfall, but subtle features were shown to be precursors to a significant mesoscale event. Both Croft and Gerard have presented this informative presentation at numerous workshops and conferences, with emphasis being placed on the importance of upper air analysis, satellite imagery interpretation, and mesoscale modeling. More information from this presentation can be found at the NWS Jackson Web site: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan.

A brief question-and-answer session followed the presentation. Plans concerning the next meeting were briefly discussed before the meeting was adjourned by Gerard.

Minutes submitted by Eric Carpenter.

The meeting was held at WAPT-TV in Jackson. The guest speakers were David Hartman and Ken Johnson, meteorologists at WAPT.

Meeting Minutes

The first meeting of the 2000-01 chapter year was held at WAPT-TV in Jackson on 9 October 2000. The meeting was opened by Chapter Vice President Barbie Bassett with 15 people in attendance. A brief business session took place and a request was made by Chapter Treasurer Dave Biggar for annual dues. Following the business session, David Hartman discussed the capabilities of his station’s new Doppler radar.

Those in attendance were divided into two groups and led on a tour of the WAPT weather station. Ken Johnson led the tour of the weather center room where the radar image display console was located. Johnson discussed the algorithmic capabilities of the radar imagery software and demonstrated actual algorithm output through archived radar data. Hartman brought the tour groups to the actual radar site and presented the radar hardware and specifications.

Hartman then concluded the tour by demonstrating his methods of weather analysis and forecasting and by showing the capabilities of WAPT’s weather computer work stations. He also answered any questions concerning the new radar and WAPT’s weather center. The meeting was then adjourned by Bassett.

Minutes submitted by Eric Carpenter.

The meeting was held at the National Weather Service in Jackson. The guest speaker was Jerry Jarrell, director of the National Hurricane Center.

Meeting Minutes

The third meeting of the 1999-2000 chapter year was held at the Jackson National Weather Service Office on 18 January 2000 in Jackson, Mississippi. The meeting was opened by Chapter President Barbie Bassett with 24 people in attendance. After a brief business session, Chapter Vice President Alan Gerard introduced Jerry Jarrell, director of the National Hurricane Center.

Jarrell’s talk was entitled “Hurricanes: The Issues for 2000 and Beyond.” His first topic concerned the threat that high-rise buildings and higher terrain face in a hurricane. Recent research of hurricane wind profiles has shown that winds increase significantly with height in the lowest 500 ft, thus posing a greater risk for wind damage to the upper portions of taller buildings and higher terrain.

Second, Jarrell discussed surface wind speed in hurricanes and how current techniques may be underestimating them. His discussion later shifted to the dangers of hurricanes and how improved forecasts and preparedness have led to a great reduction in loss of life from storm surge. In fact, according to Jarrell, the percentage of hurricane deaths associated with storm surge flooding has decreased from 90%  to 1% since Hurricane Camille in 1969. Inland flooding has taken over as the hurricane’s deadliest effect, now accounting for 81% of hurricane-related deaths on average.

Although storm surge-related deaths are way down, there have been several cases in the past few years where catastrophic loss of life has been narrowly avoided. Jarrell presented two case scenarios illustrating this point. The scenarios suggest that while emergency preparedness is vastly improved, there is still need for better planning, particularly with major evacuations. Another problem exists with trends in major hurricane paths. As an example, Jarrell used Palm Beach. While no major hurricanes have affected Palm Beach since 1950, there were many major hurricanes that did affect the area in the 1926 to 1950 time frame. Unfortunately, most people living in Palm Beach were not around for those major hurricanes and are likely insensitive to the threat. Jarrell went on to emphasize that in recent history, weaker storms have proven dangerous. Prime examples include Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

As these storms weakened, their threat actually increased due to antecedent conditions and topographical features. In both cases, prolonged heavy rains induced disastrous flooding, particularly with Mitch. So what is Jarrell’s forecast for 2000? He believes that more than 50% of the coastal population will be unprepared.

A question-and-answer session was held with Jarrell after his presentation. The meeting was adjourned by Bassett.

Minutes submitted by Eric Carpenter.

The guest speaker was Bob Baron, founder of Baron Services.

Meeting Minutes

The 6 November 1999 meeting was opened by Chapter President Barbie Bassett with 16 members in attendance. Bassett introduced Bob Baron, president of Baron Services, Inc., and he gave some biographical information on how he got started in his business.

Baron gave a demonstration on the 155-mile range radar of the Oklahoma City tornado and his zoom-in technology. He explained one of his products, the high density radar, which takes WSR-88D data and puts it into a more usable format for broadcasters. He is able to integrate up to four radars at one time, and his program will highlight every area of velocity that exceeds 50 knots. Baron explained gate-to-gate shear and how his products are able to make it into a frame called composite shear.

His products aid broadcast meteorologists the most by making the information clearer. Detection processes are now the focus of Baron Services, whereas dissemination was their previous focus. His company is working to give selected information to preselected criteria (via caller ID or automatic phone calls) to focus on those areas most threatened by severe weather. This product is called “Safety Net” and is patented and approved primarily for emergency management agencies. Baron’s company is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on “Future Scan,” which inputs current information and conditions and predicts future possibilities over time. The timetable for this product to be available is next year, and it is being introduced to stations in conjunction with his “Viper” product. To date, Baron services 200 television stations nationwide.

Minutes submitted by Barbie Bassett.

The meeting was held at the National Weather Network office and studios in Jackson. The guest speakers was Edward St. Pe and Jason McCleave of NWN.

Meeting Minutes

On 5 October 1999, the chapter met at the National Weather Network Studios/Office in Jackson, Mississippi. The National Weather Network (NWN) is a television/radio service in existence since 1991 and provides weather broadcasts for numerous television and radio stations around the nation. NWN now utilizes “cutting edge” digital communication technology to get taped broadcasts to their customers rapidly and efficiently.

The meeting began with a very elightening presentation by NWN director, Edward St. Pe, also the founder of NWN. St. Pe talked extensively about his pre-NWN years in weather broadcasting and how NWN came into existence. He started by doing broadcasts for just a few radio stations in Louisiana, his home state. With some initiative and imagination, he soon became involved in offering a remote weather broadcast service to television stations that employed no weather broadcasters. St. Pe generated weather broadcasts for his customers and transmitted the broadcasts via satellite to each station. The company now employs 12 persons and provides broadcasts to about 70 television stations. Their goal is to build up to 100 television stations. Last March, NWN added a digital communications system that enables them to broadcast weather 24 hours a day, and NWN is now on the Internet and providing video weather broadcasts. St. Pe is very exicted about the future of weather broadcasting. He believes that the latest trend of incorporating terrestrial broadband communication into cable systems is going to “blow the world” by offering an incredible amount of interactivity to each cable customer.

After St. Pe’s presentation, the meeting shifted to the studio portion of NWN where the chapter got to see firsthand how the broadcasts are generated. NWN now uses a state-of-the-art computer system to generate graphics for the broadcasts. Broadcast meteorologist Jason McCleave gave an overview of the system and its capabilities.

McCleave wrapped up the meeting by giving a tour of the control room where the new digital communications hardware is located. It is also where weather broadcasts are edited and stored for transmission to NWN customers. A short question-and-answer session followed with discussion focusing on some of the market types that NWN provides for. Interestingly, many of the NWN customers are located in top 10 television markets, which led McCleave to say, “Where else can a person come out of college and go straight into a top 10 market?” Overall, much was learned by the chapter on weather broadcasting and its bright future.

Minutes submitted by Eric Carpenter.

The guest speaker was Pat Fitzpatrick of Jackson State University.

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Chapter President Paul Croft 2 June 1999 with 11 members in attendance. A brief business meeting was held, in which elections were undertaken. Barbie Bassett was elected as president for the 1999-2000 chapter season, with Alan Gerard elected as vice president, Paul Croft as corresponding secretary, Eric Carpenter as recording secretary, and David Biggar as treasurer

The program was presented by Pat Fitzpatrick of Jackson State University. Fitzpatrick presented a summary of the forecast produced by William Gray of Colorado State University regarding the upcoming 1999 Atlantic basin hurricane season. Fitzpatrick studied and worked under Gray and is familiar with many of the parameters that go into the process for making the hurricane season forecast.

Fitzpatrick discussed these parameters and their impacts for the upcoming season. The presentation was well received. In fact, due to the effects hurricanes can have on the Jackson metropolitan area, WLBT-TV of Jackson covered the meeting and ran an interview with Fitzpatrick on their news programs.

Minutes submitted by Alan Gerard.

The meeting was held at WJTV-TV in Jackson. The guest speaker was Tony Mastro, chief meteorologist at WJTV.

Meeting Minutes

The April meeting of the chapter was held 8 April 1999 at the WJTV television station in Jackson. Paul Croft, chapter president, called the meeting to order with 12 minutes in attendance. After the reading of the minutes and the treasury report, Croft gave a brief summary of the chapter’s participation in the 1999 Mississippi Region II Science Fair held in March at Jackson State University. He then introduced the speaker for the evening, Tony Mastro, chief meteorologist for WJTV. Mastro gave a brief overview of the station’s weather operations, including their “Storm Team” approach to severe weather. He outlined a new WJTV severe weather initiative in which the station sponsors a program, which allows the public to automatically receive severe thunderstorm and tornado warning information via pager or e-mail. he also discussed the computer graphics and numerical model output used by the station’s meteorologists in preparing their forecasts and on-air presentations.

The evening concluded with a tour of the station and an informal question-and-answer period.

Minutes submitted by Alan Gerard.