NOAA has a long tradition of supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assessments of winter storm severity for making snowstorm major disaster declarations. During the decade of the 1990's, a total of 86 major snowstorm disasters were declared for the East Coast alone, with FEMA costs totaling nearly $1B. FEMA's snow assistance policy* directs that the need for disaster assistance will be based on a comparison of historical snowfall observations from NCDC with observations from the current event provided by the NWS Cooperative Observers Network (COOP) as well as other observations verified by NCDC or NWS as being representative of snowfall in the affected county.
*FEMA's Disaster Assistance Policy 9100.1 and 9523.1, Snow Assistance and Severe Winter Storm Policy
The ability of NOAA to provide FEMA with accurate snowfall information is of critical importance. Unfortunately FEMA continues to rely on an aging snowfall climatology developed in the mid-1990s to provide historical perspective on snowfall extremes. These data suffer from problems that include in many cases short periods of record, missing observations, and a lack of station data in numerous counties. In addition, observations collected within the COOP network are not sufficient for fully characterizing today's snowstorms.
Addressing these problems requires a collaborative approach between NOAA, FEMA, University partners, and the private sector. New technologies, and many new observing networks, have been developed in the past 10 to 20 years which can be used to improve the snowstorm assessment process. With growing numbers of observing networks alongside NOAAs existing networks and programs such as snow paid observers, new technologies for measuring snowfall, and better methods for developing improved climatologies, there are many opportunities for enhancing NOAA's commitment to FEMA's snow disaster declaration process.
To address these issues, NOAA and FEMA are sponsoring a workshop to be held at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado on May 25-27. The focus of this workshop will be on the following objectives:
Registration will be accepted through Friday, April 22, 2011.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ram's Horn Lodge at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. To receive these special rates, attendees must request a room under "Snow Workshop" by April 22, 2011. Room rates include three meals per day and use of many facilities. Attendees are responsible for making their own lodging reservations. For more information see "LodgingLodging".
| Breakfast | 7:00-9:00AM |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 11:30AM-1:30PM |
| Dinner | 5:00-7:00PM |
Shuttle transportation from Denver International Airport (DIA) is available for $45 one way ($85 round trip) from Estes Park Shuttle. Advance reservations are necessary. For more information visit their web site or contact the shuttle directly at 970-586-5151 to inquire or reserve this service.
Rental Cars are available at Denver International Airport. Distance from DIA to the YMCA of the Rockies is approximately 80 miles and a driving time of two hours should be anticipated.
Map
For those not lodging at the YMCA of the Rockies, the YMCA requires a $10 non-negotiable per day, per person usage charge for those attending any meetings held at the YMCA of the Rockies facility. This fee will be collected at the conference.
It is our sincere desire to comply fully with both the letter and the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Attendees with special needs should call the National Climatic Data Center at (828) 271-4800, four to six weeks prior to the meeting to request special arrangements.
Our workshop will be held at the YMCA of the Rockies in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado, just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ram's Horn Lodge at the YMCA of the Rockies. To receive these special rates, attendees must request a room under "Snow Workshop" by April 22, 2011. Room rates include three meals per day and use of many facilities.
| One adult per room | $119.00 |
|---|---|
| 2 adults per room | $74.50 each adult |
| 3 adults per room | $60.00 per adult |
Please be aware that the YMCA of the Rockies requires a 35% deposit on all reservations. If you cancel 30 days or more prior to your arrival you will receive a 75% refund of your deposit. Your deposit is non-refundable if you cancel with less than 30 days notice prior to your arrival.
Room check-in time is: 3:00PM or later.
Room check-out time is: 10:00 AM.
Please note that for those not lodging at the YMCA of the Rockies, the YMCA requires a $10 non-negotiable per day, per person usage charge for those attending any meetings held at the YMCA of the Rockies facility. This fee will be collected at the conference.
For questions regarding YMCA of the Rockies Lodging please call: 1-800-777-9622
Reservations can be made on the Estes Park Center Snow Workshop Reservation page.
If you would like to come in earlier or stay longer, you will need to make your reservation on-line first for the dates of the conference. Then you will need to call Family Reservations at (888) 613-9622 to add the additional nights to your group reservation. Please have your reservation number handy.
Please fill out the form below and then click "Register".
Please, no special characters (only letters, numbers, hyphens, and periods).
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/workshops/2011/index.php