With water supplies low, fire risk high, range conditions dry, and summer heat on the rise, the onset and character of the 2013 monsoon will be critical for improving or worsening current conditions. The monsoon briefing included three, 6-8 minute presentations, followed by a Q&A.

The first report to be released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 5th Assessment was released on Sept. 27, 2013. The Working Group 1 report, entitled “The Physical Science Basis,” covers what we know about how the Earth’s climate is changing and why, as well as what climate change is likely in the future, depending on the levels of greenhouse gases emitted by humans over the next century and beyond. A panel of UA climate science experts was assembled to comment on the report and to field questions.