Dear Meteorologists & other weather Friends:
We are pleased to invite you to the 2nd Annual Northeast Weather Summit on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. We have put together a fun, informative day that will be a great opportunity for professional development, education, networking and skiing or riding. I hope you can join us.
Registration:
- Please register by November 25, 2019
- Rates:
- $50 Meteorologists / Media
- $75 Ski Industry Representatives / General Public
- Includes: All Sessions, Breaks, Complimentary Lift Ticket, Learn to Ski/Ride Beginner Package or Rentals
Lodging Available:
Bring the Family:
- Family members and guests can enjoy a day of skiing or snowboarding while you attend the conference.
- Additional discounted tickets and rentals available for family members and guests.
- Please email tom@wachusett.com with a list of your guests. Payment may be made at Customer Service Desk on Dec. 8.
Conference Location:
- Wachusett Mountain Base Lodge Maple Room
Agenda
- Attention American Meteorologist Society Members - AMS certification holders receive one professional development point for attending the 2nd annual Northeast Weather Summit.
8:30 AM
Registration & Welcome
Coffee & Danish Service
10:00 AM
Session #1 -- Improved Winter Forecasts
Speaker:
- Judah Cohen, Ph.D.; Director, Seasonal Forecasting and Principal Scientist; Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), a Verisk Business. In addition to his research interests on Arctic mid-latitude linkages, Cohen is leading AER's development of seasonal forecast products for commercial clients. Cohen also has a Visiting Scientist appointment in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of MIT.
Hear insight from one of the nation's foremost experts on winter forecasting. He will provide details into his methodology or approach to winter prediction, which strongly involves the behavior of the polar vortex. If time permits he will also discuss how climate change is altering the character of the winter season. Finally he will close the talk with a closer look at what to expect for the upcoming winter.
11:30 AM
Session #2 - Creating Ski Industry Managers and Meteorologists for the Future
Panelists:
- Tim Kelley, Meteorologist at NBC 10 Boston and New England Cable News
- Kris Blomback, General Manager, Pat's Peak, NH
- Dr. Sean Doll, chair, Mountain Resort Management Program, Northern Vermont University in Lyndon, Vt. (formerly Lyndon State College)
- Dr. Aaron Preston, professor, Atmospheric Sciences/Meteorology Department, Northern Vermont University in Lyndon, Vt. (formerly Lyndon State College)
College students seeking degrees in Mountain Resort Management or Meteorology are our future. Tim & Kris, both Lyndon State graduates (and former roommates), are leaders in their respective industries. Sean and Aaron are paving the way for the next generation of leaders. Enjoy a lively discussion focusing on how students seeking careers in these two weather-related industries are closer than you think and how advancements in communications and technology are making them even closer.
12:30
Lunch Break
Session #3 - No Such Thing as Bad Weather, Just Bad Clothes
Presenter:
- Sandy Powers, Assistant Manager MTNside Ski & Ride Sports, Wachusett Mountain
Sandy will present a brief entertaining look at lunch at some key clothing and accessories that no winter warrior should be without.
1:30 PM
Session #4 - The Science Behind Some of New England's Biggest Snowstorms
Speaker:
- Hayden Frank - Senior Meteorologist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service, Boston/Norton, MA He is the Severe Weather, Marine and Outreach Focal point, and also serves as the fire weather focal point. Hayden transferred to Boston/Norton NOAA office in 2003 and loves all kinds of weather, but always had a special interest in snowstorms, so living in New England is a perfect fit for him.
Learn some historical perspective on some of the region's two significant blizzards in 2018 and how you can provide better historical context for your viewers on current winter storms. On January 4th, 2018 a major winter storm produced blizzard conditions northwest of the Cape Cod Canal. 10 to 16 inches snow combined with 40 to 60 mph to result in dangerous travel with near zero visibility at times. In addition, moderate to major coastal flooding occurred along the eastern Massachusetts coast with Boston establishing its highest storm tide on record. A Major Winter Storm/Blizzard impacted most of southern New England on March 13th, 2018. The various model guidance indicated the potential for a major winter storm to impact the region several days in advance and confidence quickly increased inside 48 hours. The heaviest snow fell across portions of northeast MA where some locations received upwards of 2 feet. Meanwhile, far southeast Massachusetts onto Cape Cod had lesser amounts on the order of 8 to 16 inches but with much higher impacts. Hurricane force wind gusts coupled with wet snow resulted in widespread power outages. This event dictates that impacts are always more important than specific snow amounts.
3:00 PM
Session #5 - Behind the Scenes of Ski Area Snowmaking and Grooming
Panelists:
- HKD Snowmaking Representative
- Wachusett Mountain Snowmaking & Grooming Representative
- Steve Young from Snowright Snow Depth Measuring Company
Hear experts in the field review the science and history of snow making, including Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) and how that affects skiing and snow grooming. They will also focus on what weather is best for making snow (wet bulb temps, air temps, RH/dew point etc. Includes a demonstraetion/tour of Wachusett Mountain Snowmaking facility and an up close look at Snow Grooming.
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Reception
Light Snacks & Cash Bar
4:00 - 8:00 PM
Night Skiing & Riding Offered
Lessons & Rental Available
Organizing Committee:
Jeff Blumenfeld
President
North American Snowsports Journalists Association
Tom Meyers
Director of Marketing
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
Don McCasland
Program Director
Blue Hill Observatory Science Center
Tim Kelley
Meteorologist
NBC-10 Boston & New England Cable News
