Farm and Ranch Weather and Climate Workshop

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and the National Weather Service – Tucson Forecast office are sponsoring a morning long training workshop on weather and climate information focused on supporting agricultural and resource management decision- making. Topics will include:

• Finding and interpreting NOAA-NWS weather monitoring and forecast products
• An overview of the UofA Arizona Meteorological Network and crop and irrigation management products
• A discussion of drought monitoring efforts including an overview of the U.S. Drought Monitor
• El Niño and an update of seasonal forecasts through winter of 2014/15

The workshop will end with an informal discussion of information needs and opportunities for further product and service development to support southeast Arizona. Lunch will be provided.

June 12, 2014 – 8:30 -12pm - (Check-in begins at 8am)

Willcox Community Center – Fireplace Room

312 W Stewart Street, Willcox

Please register for the workshop by June 6th by calling 520-384-3594 or by emailing Connie at cforsyth@ag.arizona.edu

Workshop Materials / Key Web Links

• National Weather Service Forecast User Defined Forecast Area: Online tool that allows a user to get a forecast for an area they design
• Tucson Forecast Office - National Weather Service Main Page: Home page for all forecast information and tools for southeast Arizona
• National Weather Service - Weather Activity Planner: Generate custom forecast for specific weather variables and user defined areas
• Arizona Meteorological Network: Near-real time weather information and custom decision support products for agricultural and water resources managment
• WestWide Drought Tracker: Climate and drought monitoring maps and custom time series tools to track drought conditions across the western U.S.
• DroughtView: Tool to access and visualize maps and time series animations of remotely sensed 'greenness' or vegetation condition information
• Multi-scale drought plots: Experimental plots that visualize both short and long-term drought conditions across Arizona and New Mexico
• Monsoon summary plots: Experimental plots that track multiple elements of monsoon season precipitation including timing, intensity, and cumulative amounts

Contact Mike Crimmins with questions/comments about the materials/workshop