• Scientific Value of Arctic Sea Ice Imagery Derived Products
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• April 2009 BASC Newsletter
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• New 2008 Edition - Understanding and Responding to Climate Change: Highlights of National Academies Reports
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Observing Weather and Climate from the Ground Up: A Nationwide Network of Networks (2008) Report in Brief Detailed weather observations on local and regional levels are essential to a range of needs from forecasting tornadoes to making decisions that affect energy security, public health and safety, transportation, agriculture and all of our economic interests. The ability to get detailed observations of weather at the "mesoscale"--ranging in size from a city to a state such as Oklahoma--requires networks of local weather observing systems called "mesonets." As weather technology has become increasingly affordable, businesses, state and local governments, and individual weather enthusiasts have set up observing systems throughout the United States. However, because there is no national network tying many of these systems together, data collection methods are inconsistent and public accessibility is limited. This report identifies short-term and long-term goals for federal government sponsors and other public and private partners in establishing a coordinated nationwide "network of networks" of weather and climate observations. This report was requested by the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Transportation, and Homeland Security, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. More...