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Dear Florida Climate Center Friends,
We'd like to present you with the February 2011 edition of our newsletter. In this newsletter, you'll find our monthly climate summary, a special report on our winter temperatures, some upcoming events that are staff will be at, and examples of some of the data requests. If you have any questions, please email us at climate@coaps.fsu.edu.
Thanks,
The Staff of the Florida Climate Center
 |  |  |  | David Zierden
State Climatologist | James O'Brien
Professor Emeritus | Melissa Griffin
Asst. State Climatologist | Preston Leftwich
Research Assistant |
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 Cold, Wet Weather Doesn't Follow La Niņa Patterns (Tampa Tribune)
This winter was supposed to be dry and warm, or at least that's what forecasters expected when water in the Pacific Ocean began to rapidly cool late last year forming a La Niņa. (with State Climatologist David Zierden)
Tampa Tribune Article |
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Special Report on the 2010-2011 La Niņa
Staff at the Climate Center along with Dr. Clyde Fraisse, an agricultural engineer at the University of Florida, explain why the winter temperature patterns that are typical during La Niņa were anything but typical this season.
Special Report (PDF) |
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State Climatologist Presents Crop Weather Forecast for Cotton Farmers
Along with expert presentations in crop varieties, cotton markets, and pest control, David Zierden presented a 20 minute program on recent and anticipated climate patterns that may affect the upcoming cropping season at the Wiregrass Cotton Expo in Dothan, Alabama on February 4th. The State Climatologist reviewed historical crop yields in the area and how they corresponded to rainfall patterns and examined in more detail the climate conditions leading to the disastrous 2010 season. Mr. Zierden went on to explain about the strong La Niņa currently affecting the Pacific Ocean and how its influence on local climate patterns could affect the upcoming planting season and beyond. In spite of recent cold and rainy weather, the likelihood is still high that we could see a shift back to the more typical warm and dry pattern that is associated with La Niņa. With this information farmers were advised to plant early for best chances of higher yields. Cotton Expo Program (PDF) |
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Upcoming Events
February 18, 2011:
Row Crop Working Group Meeting in Headland, AL
February 21-23, 2011:
Southeast Regional Climate Center TAC Meeting in Tallahassee, FL
February 26, 2011:
National High Magnetic Field Lab Open House in Tallahassee, FL
February 26, 2011:
National Weather Service WeatherFest in Jacksonville, FL
March 1-4, 2011:
Climate Prediction Applications Science Workshop in Des Monines, IA
May 24-27, 2011:
Climate Information for Managing Risks Symposium in Orlando, FL
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About Us
The Florida Climate Center is part of a three-tiered system of national, regional, and state climate offices, including NOAA's National Climatic Data Center and the Southeast Regional Climate Center. The Florida State Climatologist and other staff at the Florida Climate Center provide the following information and services to the people of Florida:
· Climate Data:
Historical weather observations for weather stations throughout the state of Florida. We are able to provide data for most stations from 1948-present.
· Climate Information:
Long-term historical averages for various stations, climate divisions, and the entire state.
· Extreme Event Records:
Information and analyses on extreme events such as freezes, droughts, floods and hurricanes.
· Special Analysis:
With their vast knowledge of El Niņo, La Niņa and climate variability, the State Climatologist and staff can offer expert insight into Florida's climate trends.
· Outreach:
Activities, presentations, and workshops that inform and educate the people of Florida about current and emerging climate issues. We also coordinate volunteers for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS).
More About Us |
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An Example of Our Services Each month, we highlight here recent examples of some of the many public services provided by the Florida Climate Center:
The Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of a community development district in Southwest Florida contacted the Florida Climate Center in January seeking rainfall measurements from the past 10 years in the area. The community development district manages a small lake as water source for irrigation of an 18-hole golf course and several hundred single-family homes. They will use the historic rainfall information to help manage lake levels and set irrigation schedules that will be both effective and in keeping with conservation goals. The Florida Climate Center was able to provide the needed rainfall information and help guide the district to other available resources that could assist in their planning. |
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