NOAA Science Seminar Series

NOAA Science Seminar Series

When: Aug 18, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM ET

Where: Webinar

Title: Closing the gap on watershed sources and sinks of debris in the Great Lakes

Presenter(s): Dr. Christy Tyler and Dr. Matthew Hoffman, RIT

Seminar Contact(s): Varis.Ransi@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Register at https://noaabroadcast.adobeconnect.com/tylerhoffman/event/registration.html You may enter the webinar via a browser or the Adobe Connect app (download here). Test your ability to use Adobe Connect here. After the webinar, a link to the recording will be posted online.

Accessibility: Auto-live closed captioning will not be provided.

Abstract:

Stormwater is a major but poorly quantified pathway for plastic debris entering the Great Lakes. We present results from an integrated study of debris input, transport, and degradation in the Lake Ontario watershed around Rochester, New York. Using LittaTraps (5 mm mesh baskets) deployed across storm drains in Rochester and Brighton, NY over two years, we quantified debris input and found it highly variable spatially but consistent over time. A statistical model incorporating land use, demographics, and meteorological variables was developed to predict daily debris input across approximately 30,000 storm drains in the study area. Sewer maps were used to estimate the mass discharged directly to the environment via municipal separate storm sewer (MS4) outflows.

Using this stormwater data as input, we developed a compartment model simulating debris movement between storm drains, retention ponds, streams, and riparian areas. We tested the sensitivity of the model to assumptions about the retention and release in each compartment and a simulation for 2023 was compared to empirical data collected for this project. Approximately 28 kg/day was estimated to enter storm drains, compared to 14 kg/day in the winter. A third of this is projected to enter the environment directly.

Debris degrades as it moves through the watershed, which we partially characterized in two complementary studies. First, a field incubation experiment deployed chip bags, cigarette filters, and shopping bags across storm drains, retention ponds, and riparian zones in winter and summer, and aged them for up to 12 months. Cigarette filters degraded rapidly, especially in summer, while shopping bags showed season-dependent oxidation and mechanical changes. Second, bacteria isolated from stormwater retention ponds, drains, and tributaries were exposed to common littered plastics (cellulose acetate, HDPE, polypropylene, expanded polystyrene) for 240 days. Biofilm formed on all polymers, with the most substantial weight loss and FTIR changes occurring on cellulose acetate. No polymer backbone degradation was detected, however, indicating persistent environmental accumulation. Microbial community shifts were driven primarily by season and infrastructure type.

Bios: Christy Tyler is a professor of Environmental Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is an ecosystem ecologist and has worked across coastal marine and freshwater ecosystems on issues related to biogeochemistry, emerging contaminants, biodiversity, and restoration. Her recent work is related to plastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems and she currently serves as the co-director of RIT's Collaborative for Plastics and the Environment and the Lake Ontario Center for Microplastics and Human Health.

Matthew Hoffman is a professor of Mathematics and Statistics at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is an applied mathematician whose current work focuses on mathematical modeling of the input, transport, and fate of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes and oceans and he is the co-director of RIT's Collaborative for Plastics and the Environment.

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NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: From Landslide to Tsunami: Tracy Arm and Alaska’s Growing Landslide Threat

Presenter(s): Mike West (State Seismologist at the Alaska Earthquake Center and Research Professor at the UAF Geophysical Institute) and other speakers TBD

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP)

Seminar Contact(s): Ed Plumb (ewplumb@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/tracy-arm-landslide/

Abstract: Early on August 10, 2025, a mountainside collapsed in Tracy Arm in Southeast Alaska, generating a tsunami that surged up the opposite side of the fjord to heights higher than the top floor of One World Trade Center. Just 12 hours earlier, cruise ships had departed from the same area. Boats farther down the fjord experienced smaller waves as the tsunami raced through the region at speeds exceeding 100 mph. While dramatic, Tracy Arm is not an isolated event. As glaciers retreat and weather patterns continue to change, coastal landslides are becoming an increasingly important hazard across Alaska. This webinar will explore the Tracy Arm event and place it into the broader context of changing environmental conditions, evolving coastal landslide risks, and what they may mean for Alaska communities and visitors.

Bio(s): Michael West is a research professor at UAF’s Geophysical Institute. He serves as State Seismologist at the Alaska Earthquake Center. His research focuses on applications in which seismology can help track environmental phenomena or inform hazards decision-making. The seismic network operated by the team of Earthquake Center staff has evolved into one of the many components of a nascent landslide monitoring program in Alaska.

Slides / Recordings / Other materials: A recording can be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Enhancing Satellite Cloud Vertical Structure Data For Aviation Applications
LEO Science Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Yoo-Jeong (YJ) Noh, Senior Research Scientist, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), Colorado State University

Sponsor(s): NOAA NESDIS Office of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Observations

Seminar Contact(s): Amy Leibrand (amy.leibrand@noaa.gov)

Remote Access:
Google Meet joining info
https://meet.google.com/mzw-qtkv-jke
Or dial: (US) +1 443-712-7922 PIN: 336 249 999#

Abstract: As air traffic continues to grow, the demand for reliable weather information is increasing, particularly in data-sparse regions such as Alaska. Current satellite observations provide valuable cloud information but limited vertical cloud structure essential for assessing significant weather hazards. To address user needs, we developed a 3D satellite cloud framework that combines LEO/GEO cloud retrievals with aviation-relevant datasets such as smoke model output and pilot reports. It allows users to generate vertical cloud-smoke cross-sections along flight paths, enhancing situational awareness. The product has initiated the operational transition process, while ongoing development incorporates additional cloud properties using machine learning techniques and new satellite data. Initially developed for Alaska, this work is being expanded globally, demonstrating its potential for future satellite missions and aviation applications, including flight planning, search and rescue operation, and aviation safety.

Slides: Request from seminar contact.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Molecular characterization and diagnosis of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD)

NOAA Library Seminars

Presenter(s): Dr. Michael Studivan, Associate Scientist, University of Miami CIMAS

Sponsor(s): NOAA Library and NOAA 'Omics

Seminar Contact(s): library.seminars@noaa.gov

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/6011384

Accessibility: Captions are available during the live presentation and once uploaded to the NOAA Library YouTube Channel automatic captions are added. Sign language interpreting services and closed captioning are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.

Abstract: Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is the most destructive coral disease described to date, and has become endemic in most parts of the Caribbean. The Coral Program at the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies and NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory is conducting interdisciplinary research to mitigate further impacts of this disease on Caribbean reefs, as well as to prevent the potential spread of SCTLD to Pacific reefs. In this seminar, Dr. Michael Studivan will present an overview of the ‘omics research the Coral Program is conducting to characterize, diagnose, and model SCTLD spread, including implications for management and ecosystem restoration.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared 24 hours after the event on the NOAA Library YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Advancing Heat Action in the Caribbean: Community Partnerships and Local Solutions

Presenter(s): Pablo Méndez-Lázaro (PI for the Caribbean Adaptation Network and Professor in the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus), Gregory Guannel (PI for the Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network and Director of the Caribbean Green Technology at the University of the Virgin Islands), Yasiel Figueroa (Project Manager for the Urban Forestation Program at Caribbean Regenerative Community Development)

Sponsor(s): NOAA Climate Program Office

Seminar Contact(s): Lauren Balotin, lauren.balotin@noaa.gov

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/6077937

Accessibility: Captions will be available during the live presentation and on the recording.

Abstract: Extreme heat presents unique challenges for island communities, where climate, infrastructure, and geography shape both heat exposure and response. Addressing these challenges requires locally relevant data, strong community partnerships, and sustained collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.

This webinar will highlight NOAA-supported research and partnerships that are advancing extreme heat preparedness across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Speakers will share insights on:

• how multi-sector partnerships are strengthening regional capacity to prepare for and respond to extreme heat

• how indoor heat monitoring is improving understanding of heat exposure and informing community adaptation strategies in the U.S.

• how an urban heat island mapping campaign generated locally relevant data to support planning, outreach, and heat preparedness in Puerto Rico

Together, these presentations demonstrate how collaborative research and community-engaged approaches can support more effective, locally-tailored strategies for reducing heat risk in Caribbean communities.

This event is part of the CPO Heat Research Webinar Series. The projects are supported by CPO’s National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) and Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared on the NOAA Climate Program Office website after the event.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Understanding How We Move Weather Research to Real-World Use: Results from a Human-Centered Evaluation of NOAA’s Research-to-Operations Process

NOAA Library Seminars

Presenter(s): Isha M. Renta López, Castle Williamsberg, Ph.D., Abby Arnold, WPO PART Program

Sponsor(s): NOAA Library

Seminar Contact(s): library.seminars@noaa.gov

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/6056216

Accessibility: Captions are available during the live presentation and once uploaded to the NOAA Library YouTube Channel automatic captions are added. Sign language interpreting services and closed captioning are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.

Abstract: Strengthening how the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and the National Weather Service (NWS) coordinate and transition research and development (R&D) into operations is essential to improving the accuracy and reliability of weather forecasts and warnings. NOAA’s Weather Program Office (WPO) recently conducted a human-centered evaluation of the weather-related research transition process between OAR and NWS. Interviews with staff from both organizations highlighted past successes and best practices that have improved communication and coordination, while also revealing significant gaps and opportunities for improvement. This presentation will examine the evaluation’s findings and primary recommendation to convene a joint OAR–NWS research transition workshop to begin co-designing a more efficient, agile, and human-centered transition process together.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared 24 hours after the event on the NOAA Library YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: August NWS Alaska Climate Outlook Briefing

Presenter(s): Rick Thoman, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP)

Seminar Contact(s): Ed Plumb (ewplumb@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/aug2026-climate-outlook/

Abstract: During this month’s Climate Outlook Briefing, Rick will review recent and current climate conditions around Alaska, discuss forecasting tools, and finish up with the Climate Prediction Center’s forecast for September and the early winter. Tune in online for a look at recent Alaska weather highlights and what may be ahead for Alaska’s seasonal climate.

Bio(s): Rick Thoman is the ACCAP Alaska Climate Specialist and has many years of experience producing reliable Alaska climate information and graphics describing Alaska’s changing environment. His work spans the bridge between climate modeling, Alaska communities, and the media.

Slides / Recordings / Other materials: A recording may be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Tracking Drought in Alaska: Developing New Indicators and Tools

Presenter(s): Charlie Parr (UAF Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning) and Rick Thoman (Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness)

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP)

Seminar Contact(s): Ed Plumb (ewplumb@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/tracking-drought-in-alaska/

Abstract: Although Alaska is often thought of as a water-rich state, drought can have significant impacts on communities, ecosystems, hydropower generation, subsistence resources, agriculture, wildfire, and water supplies. In this webinar, Charlie and Rick will introduce a new set of drought indicators developed for Alaska using ERA5-Land, a global climate dataset that combines weather observations with computer models to provide consistent estimates of historical weather and land surface conditions. They will discuss how the indicators are generated using a repeatable process that allows them to be updated regularly over time, their strengths and limitations, and how they can support environmental monitoring and decision-making. They will also invite feedback from participants to help improve these tools and ensure they meet the needs of Alaska communities, resource managers, and other users.

Bio(s): Charlie Parr is a geospatial programmer and analyst with the Scenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic Planning (SNAP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He develops workflows and web-based tools that transform climate and geophysical data into accessible resources for researchers, resource managers, and decision-makers across Alaska.

Rick Thoman is a the Climate Specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP). Rick and has many years of experience producing reliable Alaska climate information and graphics describing Alaska’s changing environment. His work spans the bridge between climate modeling, Alaska communities, and the media.

Slides / Recordings / Other materials: A recording can be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: The IPG Toolkit: Reusable Tools Born from Rapid Development

NOAA Library Seminars

Presenter(s): Jimmy Baker, Web Developer / Project Coordinator (CSS, Inc.). Jessica Steslow, GIS Developer (CSS, Inc.)

Sponsor(s): NOAA Library

Seminar Contact: library.seminars@noaa.gov

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/6118275

Abstract: Across six applications built under the Industry Proving Ground program, the same requirements kept surfacing: accessible map interactions, consistent legends, reusable components. Rather than solving these problems repeatedly, we began packaging solutions as shared libraries, distributed through an internal package registry. What started with one extension grew into a small ecosystem of reusable tools that now let us take a new mapping application from nothing to a working MVP quickly, freeing teams to focus on data logic instead of basic infrastructure. This talk covers how that toolkit came together, and where we're headed as we explore broader distribution across NCEI and NOAA.

Accessibility: Captions are available during the live presentation and once uploaded to the NOAA Central Library YouTube Channel automatic captions are added. Sign language interpreting services and closed captioning are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared 24 hours after the event on the NOAA Library YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Winter Rain in Interior Alaska: Local Impacts and Practical Solutions

Presenter(s): Eleanor Greenbaum, Alaska Fellows Program and Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP)

Seminar Contact(s): Ed Plumb (ewplumb@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/winter-rain-impacts/

Abstract: As winter rain becomes more frequent in Alaska’s Interior, communities must understand the risks associated with these events and remain prepared. This ACCAP webinar will explore takeaways from various entities across several sectors who have been impacted by the hazard, ranging from infrastructure maintenance to hazard mitigation planning. We’ll discuss key concerns, highlight the impacts of the December 2021 “Icemageddon” event in the Fairbanks area, and explore options for direct response and long-term planning for winter rain events.

Bio(s): Eleanor Greenbaum is working as a Policy Fellow with ACCAP. In this role, she has contributed to ACCAP’s work on science communication, extreme events, and sustained assessment, including examining the Alaskan extreme events landscape and creating policy-oriented materials focused on winter rain. Her background is in international climate policy and security, and she is passionate about translating complex environmental challenges into practical solutions.

Slides / Recordings / Other materials: A recording can be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Growing Aquaculture in the Great Lakes: Aligning Regional Action with National Trends
Great Lakes Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Dr. Lauren N Stigers, Extension Educator, MSU Extension and Michigan Sea Grant

Sponsor(s): CIGLR and NOAA GLERL

Seminar Contact(s): Margaret Throckmorton, margaret.throckmorton@noaa.gov

Remote Access:

Please register at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3516071514098166615
More details at: https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu/event/09162026-lauren-stigers/

Accessibility: Closed captions are available at GoToWebinar during the talk.

Abstract: Aquaculture now supplies most of the world’s seafood (57%), yet the U.S. remains heavily reliant on imports, producing only 11% of its seafood through aquaculture and carrying a $24.2 billion seafood trade deficit (FAO 2024; NMFS 2024). Freshwater aquaculture—primarily catfish, crawfish, and trout—generated $872 million in 2022, and recent analysis shows U.S. aquaculture contributes $4 billion annually in production with several‑fold broader economic impacts (Kumar et al. 2024). Despite this national significance, aquaculture for food remains underdeveloped in the Great Lakes region, where research and management have long centered on recreational fisheries.

This seminar will connect national and regional perspectives on U.S. aquaculture growth. Mrs. Cherry will provide a brief overview of the direction U.S. aquaculture has taken in recent years, describing new policy initiatives and research investments that are working to foster sustainable U.S. aquaculture development at the national level. Dr. Stigers will present on several key initiatives that have been fundamental for supporting aquaculture in the Great Lakes region. Her initiatives include many collaborative projects focusing mainly on Great Lakes’ (1) governance and sustainability of seafood systems, and (2) consumer education and aquaculture literacy.

Recordings: See this link: https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu/event/09162026-lauren-stigers/

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:
Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Long-term warming reduces fish biomass, but heatwaves shift it.

Presenter(s): Shahar Chaikin, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Madrid, Spain

Sponsor(s): U.S. Climate-Fisheries Seminar Series; coordinator is
Vincent.Saba@noaa.gov

Location: Webinar

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar weekly email: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the One NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information.

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: September NWS Alaska Climate Outlook Briefing

Presenter(s): Rick Thoman, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP)

Seminar Contact(s): Ed Plumb (ewplumb@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/sep2026-climate-outlook/

Abstract: During this month’s Climate Outlook Briefing, Rick will review recent and current climate conditions around Alaska, discuss forecasting tools, and finish up with NOAA’s Extended Prediction Division forecast for October and look at the upcoming winter. Tune in online for a look at recent Alaska weather highlights and what may be ahead for Alaska’s seasonal climate.

Bio(s): Rick Thoman is the ACCAP Alaska Climate Specialist and has many years of experience producing reliable Alaska climate information and graphics describing Alaska’s changing environment. His work spans the bridge between climate modeling, Alaska communities, and the media.

Slides / Recordings / Other materials: A recording may be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: NEScapes: Northeast Seascapes Water Mass Model Development and Analysis.

Presenter(s): Haley Synan & Kim Hyde, NOAA NEFSC

Sponsor(s): U.S. Climate-Fisheries Seminar Series; coordinator is
Vincent.Saba@noaa.gov

Location: Webinar

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar weekly email: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the One NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information.

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Drought, El Niño, and California - NOAA Drought Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Michael Anderson, California State Climatologist; Principal Engineer Specialist, Water Resources

Sponsor(s): NOAA Research's Physical Science Laboratory and National Integrated Drought Information System, and the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center

Seminar Contact(s): Andrew.Hoell@noaa.gov

Remote Access:
Register before the seminar at:
https://noaaresearch.webex.com/weblink/register/rca6066f1b86ead3a1fb85d1e6160d129

Accessibility: Live closed captioning

Abstract: When El Niño is mentioned with respect to California, images of extreme storms from the winters of 1983 and 1998 often come to mind. Although El Niño does shift the distribution of precipitation outcomes towards wet, dry outcomes do occur. Of the seven events where the Relative Niño Index exceeded 2.0 during winter in California, three ended up with below average precipitation and below average snowpack. In this presentation, comparisons are made between the 7 very strong El Niño events exploring factors that separate wet and dry outcomes in California’s water year.

Slides, Recordings, Other materials: Available after the talk at https://psl.noaa.gov/drought/seminarseries.html

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:

Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: One North, Two Fire Seasons: A Review of the 2026 Wildfire Season in Alaska, Yukon, and Northwest Territories

Presenter(s): Rick Thoman (Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness), Heidi Strader and Jonathan Chriest (Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Predictive Services), and a Canadian Fire Expert TBD

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP)

Seminar Contact(s): Ed Plumb (ewplumb@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/2026-fire-season-review/

Abstract: The 2026 wildfire season told two very different stories across Northern North America. Alaska and the Yukon experienced another relatively quiet fire season, while the Northwest Territories faced a fourth consecutive summer of widespread, high-impact fires and smoke. What weather and climate patterns drove these dramatically different outcomes, and what lessons can they offer for understanding wildfire across the North?

Join the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP) and the Alaska Fire Science Consortium (AFSC) for a regional review of the 2026 wildfire season. Rick Thoman of ACCAP will provide the broader weather and climate context that influenced fire activity across the region, while meteorologists from the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) Predictive Services and Canadian wildfire experts will review how the season unfolded in Alaska, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Together, they will discuss notable fires, operational challenges, lessons learned, and what this year's contrasting fire seasons may reveal about wildfire across Northern North America.

Bio(s): Rick Thoman is a the Climate Specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP). Rick and has many years of experience producing reliable Alaska climate information and graphics describing Alaska’s changing environment. His work spans the bridge between climate modeling, Alaska communities, and the media.

Heidi Strader is a meteorologist with the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) Predictive Services in Fairbanks, Alaska. She provides daily weather briefings and fire weather forecasts to wildfire managers across Alaska, helping support operational planning, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making throughout the fire season. She has extensive experience interpreting weather and climate conditions to support wildfire preparedness and operations across Alaska.

Jonathan Chriest is a meteorologist and Incident Meteorologist (IMET) with the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) Predictive Services in Fairbanks, Alaska. He provides daily weather briefings and fire weather forecasts to wildfire managers across Alaska and serves as an IMET, delivering on-site weather support for wildfire incidents when needed. His work helps support operational planning, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making throughout the fire season. Before joining AICC, Jonathan worked as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks beginning in 2018. He has extensive experience interpreting weather and climate conditions to support wildfire preparedness and operations across Alaska.

Slides / Recordings / Other materials: A recording can be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Streamflow Forecasting using Physical-Aware AI/DL Models and Improving the Precipitation Forecasts at the Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Scale in Support of Adaptive Reservoir Operation
Great Lakes Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Dr. Tiantian Yang, Associate Professor, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan

Sponsor(s): CIGLR and NOAA GLERL

Seminar Contact(s): Margaret Throckmorton, margaret.throckmorton@noaa.gov

Remote Access:

Please register at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1571851282521547862
More details at: https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu/event/10082026-tiantian-yang/

Accessibility: Closed captions are available at GoToWebinar during the talk.

Abstract: Reservoirs and lakes are fundamental and multi-functional water infrastructures that collect, store, and deliver surface freshwater for a multitude of uses, including flood and fire control, recreation, wildlife habitat, residential, industrial, agricultural practices, irrigation, hydro-electric power generation, drought mitigation, and more. In recent years, more frequent and severe abrupt weather extremes, natural hazards, aging infrastructure, and increased water demands due to population growth have placed another significant barrier preventing the effective, sustainable, and adaptive operation of the existing reservoir and lake systems. Therefore, new technologies and innovations are critically needed to improve the existing reservoir and lake operation and management of built water systems in our nation. In support of adaptive reservoir operation Dr. Tiantian Yang will present his current research on enhancing streamflow prediction at subseasonal-to-seasonal timescales by improving precipitation forecasts and hydrologic simulations through the integration of physical hydrologic models and physically-aware artificial intelligence and deep learning (AI/DL) tools. These hybrid models aim to retain the interpretability and physical consistency of traditional models while leveraging the pattern recognition and scalability of AI/DL.

Recordings: See this link: https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu/event/10082026-tiantian-yang/

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:
Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: October Alaska Climate Outlook Briefing

Presenter(s): Rick Thoman, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP)

Seminar Contact(s): Ed Plumb (ewplumb@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/oct2026-climate-outlook/

Abstract: During this month’s Climate Outlook Briefing, Rick will review recent and current climate conditions around Alaska, discuss forecasting tools, and finish up with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecast for November and look at the upcoming winter. Tune in online for a look at recent Alaska weather highlights and what may be ahead for Alaska’s seasonal climate.

Bio(s): Rick Thoman is the ACCAP Alaska Climate Specialist and has many years of experience producing reliable Alaska climate information and graphics describing Alaska’s changing environment. His work spans the bridge between climate modeling, Alaska communities, and the media.

Slides / Recordings / Other materials: A recording may be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: GeoBlue Planet Fisheries Workshop: Ocean Data to Support Global Sustainable Fisheries Management

Presenter(s): Hassan Moustahfid, NOAA

Sponsor(s): NOAA Ocean Color Coordinating Group (NOCCG)

Remote Access: https://meet.google.com/hnd-zams-bgo

Seminar Contact(s): Cara.Wilson@NOAA.gov

Abstract: Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs) are increasingly challenged to manage fisheries under growing climate variability, shifting species distributions, and ecosystem change. To address these challenges, the GEO Blue Planet Fisheries Workshop, held in London, UK (21–22 April 2026), convened representatives from RFMOs, RFBs, ocean observing programs, and scientific institutions to explore how ocean data and Earth Observation products can better support fisheries decision-making.

The workshop focused on identifying the opportunities, barriers, and capacity needs associated with integrating ocean observations, ecosystem indicators, and predictive models into fisheries management processes. Discussions highlighted common challenges across regions, including limited technical infrastructure, insufficient access to tailored ocean information, lack of long-term environmental datasets, and weak institutional connections between science providers and fisheries managers. Participants emphasized that successful adoption of ocean data requires not only technological solutions but also sustained capacity building, ocean literacy, and stronger science-policy partnerships.

A key outcome was the development of recommendations for a regionally tailored “Minimum Viable Ocean Data or MVOD” framework to support fisheries management and ecosystem-based approaches. Participants also identified priority actions to improve information flow from ocean observing systems to management bodies and proposed pilot projects in the Indian Ocean/Bay of Bengal and West Africa/South Atlantic regions. The workshop concluded that strengthening institutional bridges between ocean science and fisheries governance is essential for enabling RFMOs and RFBs to incorporate environmental information into sustainable and climate-resilient fisheries management.

Slides / Recordings / Other Materials: Slides can be found at this link about 24 hours after the live webinar: https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/PastSeminars_NOCCG.php

Subscribe to the One NOAA Science Seminar weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/OneNOAASeminars.php. For more information visit: https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/NOAAScienceSeminars.php

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Spatiotemporal variability of Mid-Atlantic Bight oceanography and ecology: Perspectives from an autonomous ‘ecoglider’ program.

Presenter(s): Grace Saba, Rutgers University

Sponsor(s): U.S. Climate-Fisheries Seminar Series; coordinator is
Vincent.Saba@noaa.gov

Location: Webinar

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar weekly email: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the One NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information.