As an operational meteorologist, have you ever thought, “I have a great idea to improve weather forecasting and decision support, but I need someone to help with science, research, and/or development?” Or, as a research meteorologist, have you ever thought, “I have a great idea to improve weather forecasting and decision support, but I need to make sure it is meaningful and useful to operational forecasters?” If so, then you will want to take note of a new event during the 2015 National Weather Association annual meeting in October.
A group of researchers from the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory and the NOAA National Weather Service have organized a first-of-its-kind social event called the Research Operations Nexus (RON) Meetup – Honoring the Legacy of Ronald W. Przybylinski to be held October 18. Ron Przybylinski, Science and Operations Officer for NWS St. Louis, passed away earlier this year. He was known to be highly motivated to interconnect weather operations and research in strong and enduring ways, and his legacy will live on through this gathering. Ron was a master in the transition zone, or nexus, of operations and research. He would often ask thought-provoking questions of his research colleagues, leading to large field projects of great benefit both to operations and general knowledge.
The 2015 event is meant to be the first in a series of recurring events at the NWA annual meeting. This year, the meetup will bring research meteorologists and operational forecasters together to tackle some of the challenges of improving the research to operations process. The groups will participate in an interactive experience, rotating through a number of “stations” in a speed-mentoring fashion. They will have the opportunity to discuss a variety of ideas and themes that could benefit forecast and warning operations. The goal is simple: To plant and water the seeds of collaboration between the two groups, leading to germination of ideas during the meeting week that eventually blossom beyond the conference itself. Anyone with an interest in strengthening the connection between research and operations is welcome. OAR research scientists are particularly encouraged to attend, as this group has recently been underrepresented at the NWA Annual Meeting.
The RON Meetup is free and does not require the additional Sunday registration cost. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar are provided. For more information, please contact co-facilitator Greg Stumpf (Greg.Stumpf@noaa.gov).
