Improved Forecasts of Atmospheric Rivers : An OCWA Industry Insight

January 17, 2024
Industry Insight Presentation

Water Solutions:
Improved Forecasts
of Atmospheric Rivers
to Support FIRO

Presented by:
Julie Kalansky, PhD
Deputy Director,
Center for Western Weather
and Water Extremes,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Dave & Busters – Irvine Spectrum
661 Spectrum Center Drive
Sign-In: 11:30 am, Lunch at Noon
Presentation: 12:30 pm

Hosted by OCWA

We’re Proud to Recognize
Our Sponsors
for the January 2024 Webinar:

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to learn more about our January 2024 Sponsors.

About Our Presentation

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are long narrow bands of concentrated water vapor transport that form over the Pacific Ocean. They’re responsible for up to half of the annual precipitation in California and 94 percent of all flood damages ($620 million annually). Climate change is resulting in more intense ARs. Better AR forecast accuracy and lead time enhances resilience to drought and flood.

Knowing when and where ARs will hit, and how much precipitation they’ll bring, is key to Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO), a flexible water management approach that uses forecasts to help water managers selectively retain or release water from reservoirs for increased resilience to droughts and floods. FIRO is a research and operations partnership where users of the science help design and implement FIRO to maximize its potential. Over the past decade, AR research has led to important scientific breakthroughs that make FIRO possible. AR research and FIRO go hand in hand, and this symbiosis is recognized by many partners — and further research promises even greater gains.

The presentation will discuss how the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography research and applications is improving forecasts to support FIRO and build more water resilience in California.

Given the devastating impact AR had on the West Coast last year, and the potential for improved stormwater management FIRO promises, this will be a must-see presentation. Make your reservation today! You’ll want to be there.

OCWA Members with Reservations:  $30.00

Non-Members with Reservations:  $45.00

OCWA Members without Reservations:  $45.00 (at the door)

Non-Members without Reservations:  $45.00 (at the door)

Reservations must be made by end-of-day, Tuesday, January 16,
to qualify for the Reservation Rate.
Cancellations received AFTER this date CANNOT be refunded.

About Our Speaker

Julie Kalansky, PhD

Deputy Director, 
Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Julie Kalansky is the Deputy Director at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. She works on integrating climate, atmospheric, and hydrologic sciences to build resilience to extreme weather and climate by understanding past variability and future changes. Her work is collaborative and interdisciplinary in nature. Integration of the research, observations, and products is a primary focus through developing partnerships with communities, local, state and federal agencies.

To learn more about Ms Kalansky's research, check out this 99 second video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_3VnEH3j08