Note from Gideon
Greetings to all our "On the Radar" readers in this season of gratitude, reflection, and appreciation. The tapestry of color brought by autumn leaves reminds me of the wealth of different experiences and insights that make our community so vibrant.
In late October, I had the privilege of attending an incredible gathering that celebrates diversity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. SACNAS, short for the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, provided a platform for students and professionals from a wide range of scientific disciplines to connect and share. I met graduate students who've braved extreme conditions to explore the weather and climate secrets of Antarctica; others studying the surprisingly profound relationship between the Amazon Rainforest's health and dust particles from across the ocean in Africa; others who marveled at the never-ending summer sunlight as they studied the glaciers of Iceland (imagine being able to read a book outdoors in the middle of the night!). SACNAS was an impressive and inspiring place to be.
I’m also inspired by the diversity of entries we received for the Weather Band Photo Contest, showing weather and water in so many incarnations. Read on to learn about this year’s winners!
Our love of weather and climate brings us all together across disciplines and experiences, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with you in this diverse and passionate community. I hope this month’s Weather Band content piques your curiosity and offers fresh perspectives that remind you why it’s such a gift to exist in this captivating world together.
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Gideon Alegado
Public Outreach Manager
Pronouns: He/Him/His
American Meteorological Society
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News and Notes
The Weather Band is pleased to congratulate the winners of our 2023 Photo Contest! From around the globe, talented and creative photographers submitted over 1,400 entries, representing more than 70 countries, for our panel of judges to review. We extend our sincere gratitude to our judges, and to the Weather Band members who participated in the “Members Choice” voting.
Here are this year’s contest winners (drumroll please…)
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“Night Lights” by Elan Azriel (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) is a photo capturing the aurora borealis, red sprites, and a lightning-filled thunderstorm.
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“Rays Over the River” by John Merriam (Instagram, Facebook) is a photo of crepuscular rays over the St. Johns River near Jacksonville, Florida.
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“King Tide” by Kristy Sharkey (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) is a photo of waves breaking in front of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in Washington State.
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“Walsh Mothership” by Michael Seger (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) is a photo of a beautifully structured supercell storm cloud near Walsh, Colorado.
Our prize winners receive cash prizes ($500 each for the Grand Prize and Members’ Choice winners, $300 for Second Place, and $200 for Third Place) as well as a year’s membership in AMS Weather Band and the option to feature their work in future Weather Band content. Congratulations!
This year's submissions were exemplary,
and it was difficult to pick our winners. View our Finalists' Gallery to see some of our other favorites!
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From Our Maestros
Nudge Theory and Choice Architecture: Can Weather Social Science Be this Simple?
By Kim Klockow McClain
Interest in integrating social science into meteorology has grown significantly in recent years, leading to substantial research about how to effectively deploy weather information and warnings so people can make informed choices. However, a major challenge lies in defining and measuring success in communication, particularly regarding weather resilience. What defines "effective communication," and who determines if we’ve succeeded?
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From BAMS
Lacking the Pack
In the North American West, where mountain snow is essential for water supplies throughout the region, accurately determining the extent of the snowpack is crucial for water resource planning.
Flash-tastic!
2,615 per minute—The peak number of lightning flashes in the volcanic plume during the eruption of the Hunga Volcano in Tonga in January of 2022, which a recent study calls “the most intense lightning rates ever documented in Earth's atmosphere.”
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Upcoming Events
Webinar
Make 'Snow' Mistakes: Tips for Measuring Winter Precipitation
28 November | 7:00 PM ET
Whether you admire the beauty of snow or find it a winter inconvenience, accurate snow observations from citizen-scientists are crucial for understanding the hydrological cycle. Discover CoCoRaHS' techniques to ensure precise measurements of snowfall, snow depth, and snow-water equivalent.
Eye Towards the Sky–The Power of Precipitation
1 December | 6-8 PM ET
The third annual AMS Eye Towards the Sky Speaker Series event will explore the transformative journeys of water as it powers our weather. This event is for everyone with an interest in science. Join us in person at WBUR Cityspace in Boston, enjoy light fare and make connections. Or take part online from anywhere! Admission is $20, free for students. Seating is limited so register now!
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Thor's Apprentice: An Action Adventure About On-demand Weather Modification
14 December | 7:00 PM ET
Ever wish you could change the weather? Join us as we talk with career meteorologist, and new author Robert “Bob” Russell. His action adventure book “Thor’s Apprentice” is about on demand weather modification in our lifetime. While the work is fiction, people have sought this objective for centuries, and it may not be as far from reality as you might think. Tune in!
Mark Your Calendars! Announcing Jamposium 2024
Get ready to explore crucial topics for the weather community as we bring the 2024 AMS Weather Band Jamposium to you! Save the date: 29 February and 1 March from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET each day. This event is organized based on what interests you, our members. We are recruiting experts to discuss some of your most-requested topics, from climate change and severe weather to science communication, from citizen science to the April 2024 total solar eclipse. Stay tuned for more details, including our speaker roster and registration information. We can’t wait to see you there!
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In Case You Missed It
Article:
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From Climate Science to Kindergarten
Ever wonder/worry what you’ll do after retiring from a scientific career? AMS Executive Director Emeritus Keith Seitter talked with Dian Seidel about her retirement experience teaching kindergarten in Thailand and how she had to unlearn her scientific writing style to write a book about it.
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