Since fall 2012, the Climate Center has had the privilege of working with two undergraduates from the Meteorology program at Florida State University. Ms. Alex Keclik and Ms. Lauren Zuromski have been an important part of our day-to-day operations and have also been vital with the research they've completed during their tenure at the Center. Ms. Keclik was selected to take part in an internship at the Center for Multi-scale Modeling of Atmospheric Processes (CMMAP) at Colorado State University this summer. Ms. Zuromski will attend National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at Washington State University this summer and has also been selected for a NOAA Hollings Scholarship, which will include a weeklong visit to the NOAA Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD.

Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin attended FSU Day at the Capitol on April 2nd. A variety of colleges and departments from FSU were represented at the event, which took over the lobby and the first 3 floors of the Capitol Building. Ms. Griffin, along with Meredith Field, talked with visitors and members of the legislature about the variety of climatic and oceanographic research that is being done at the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS), including the Southeast Climate Consortium (SECC), which focuses on providing climatic data and information to agricultural interests in the southeast USA, and the Deep Sea to Coast Connectivity Consortium (Deep-C), a multi-disciplinary group investigating the environmental consequences of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

The National Drought Mitigation Center, along with partner agencies, hosted the annual "Drought Monitor Forum" in West Palm Beach on April 16 through 18. The local host was the South Florida Water Management District, and the forum was held each day in their facilities. The Drought Monitor Forum is a yearly meeting to examine the science, products, and procedures that go into producing the U.S. Drought Monitor, which tracks the severity of drought across the U.S. from week to week. State Climatologist David Zierden attended the forum and presented on the unique climate of Florida and the difficulties of assessing drought in the state. David Zierden coordinates a group of National Weather Service personnel, water management district representatives, and others that provide weekly input into the depiction of drought across the State of Florida.

On April 20th, Melissa Griffin, along with Meredith Field, Tracy Ippolito, Alex Keclik, Amelia Vaughn and Lauren Zuromski, traveled to St. Teresa, FL, to take part in the FSU Marine Laboratory's Open House. This event happens every two years and gives a chance for people from the surrounding area to tour the facility and learn about the different research that is being done. A variety of local groups were also in attendance with information on Florida wildlife, public health, touch tanks and more. The group from COAPS highlighted the Deep-C Consortium and their on-going research into the environmental impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Spill. Demonstrations at the booth included an oil spill cleanup simulation, information on plankton and their role in the ocean, the stratification of the ocean and how clouds form.

Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin, along with Meredith Field and Rachel Weihs from the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies, spent one morning at the end of April talking to some of the youngest community members about weather and weather safety. Ms. Griffin and Ms. Weihs took part in reading a book on weather safety and gave a couple of demonstrations on clouds, rainfall, tornadoes and the power of wind. The 2- to 5-year olds enjoyed the presentation and were quick to answer questions and share what they liked most about weather.

Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin was presented an award for her 10-years of service to Florida State University at the Sixth Employee Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Provost and Division of Academic Affairs. Ms. Griffin has been a member of the staff of the Florida Climate Center since 2000, but in 2003 was promoted to a full-time position. As Assistant State Climatologist, Ms. Griffin continues to be a valued member of the Florida Climate Center with her hard work within and dedication to the field of climatology.