Marine Meteorology and Media Marine Meteorology and Media The Neglected Ocean Front? The Neglected Ocean Front? Steven W. Lyons Steven W. Lyons The Weather Channel

Media Can Be An Advertiser pro/con for Marine Data Media Can Be An Advertiser pro/con for Marine Data

OUTLINE 1) Media personality/characteristics 1) Media personality/characteristics 2) Media marine data needs 2) Media marine data needs 3) Media marine data resolution & use 3) Media marine data resolution & use Provide an overview of how “media” can Provide an overview of how “media” can use marine observations and forecasts use marine observations and forecasts

1) Media Personality/Characteristics 1) Media Personality/Characteristics

THE MEDIA THE MEDIA A rather self-righteous group A rather self-righteous group A very independent but dependent group A very independent but dependent group A very powerful group A very powerful group A potentially “biasing” group A potentially “biasing” group A stubborn group A stubborn group A very competitive group A very competitive group A very non-scientific group A very non-scientific group

Media Customers? Media Customers? The General Public The General Public Marine Recreation Marine Recreation Travelers/Hotels/Motels Travelers/Hotels/Motels Emergency Management Emergency Management Small businesses affected by weather Small businesses affected by weather Other Media Other Media Many more……… Many more………

Most media outlets provide only a small fraction of marine information. Why? Ignorant of the need? Ignorant of the need? Ignorant of the products available? Ignorant of the products available? Ignorant of how to apply existing data in their “coverage”? Ignorant of how to apply existing data in their “coverage”? Have not allotted time to incorporate marine weather information into their programming? Have not allotted time to incorporate marine weather information into their programming? Cannot process marine data/have no access? Cannot process marine data/have no access? Need high resolution data that is not available? Need high resolution data that is not available?

What are the facts? What are the facts? At least 60% of US population lives within 100 miles of US coast At least 60% of US population lives within 100 miles of US coast That population continues to grow That population continues to grow Millions visit the ocean annually Millions visit the ocean annually Millions play in the ocean routinely Millions play in the ocean routinely Many are “novice” mariners! Many are “novice” mariners! Media caters to “masses” Media caters to “masses”

US POPULATION CHANGE (PURPLE 13%-191%) US POPULATION CHANGE (PURPLE 13%-191%)

The Media Market The Media Market The Coastal US dominates population The Coastal US dominates population Residents living there do so to play in and/or near water Residents living there do so to play in and/or near water Many boat, sail, cruise, jet ski, surf, fish, swim in the ocean Many boat, sail, cruise, jet ski, surf, fish, swim in the ocean The media “should” have a huge desire to cover these interests The media “should” have a huge desire to cover these interests Ignorance about “marine” keeps them mostly in “weather” mode Ignorance about “marine” keeps them mostly in “weather” mode

2) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS 2) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS

Media Marine Data Needs? Media Marine Data Needs? High temporal and spatial resolution data High temporal and spatial resolution data Wind, wave, swell, SST, air temperature and visibility Wind, wave, swell, SST, air temperature and visibility All within 1-15 miles of the coastline! All within 1-15 miles of the coastline! Marine education Marine education

3) MEDIA MARINE DATA RESOLUTION & USE 3) MEDIA MARINE DATA RESOLUTION & USE

Spatial & Temporal Resolution of Marine Data Is Far Below Media Demands Spatial & Temporal Resolution of Marine Data Is Far Below Media Demands Ignorant of how quickly data is perishable? Ignorant of how quickly data is perishable? Ignorant of what spatial resolution is sufficient/not sufficient? Ignorant of what spatial resolution is sufficient/not sufficient? Have mentality that marine information is usually incorrect or “loaded with errors”? Have mentality that marine information is usually incorrect or “loaded with errors”?

Media Training in Marine Meteorology Media Training in Marine Meteorology Much to be desired? Much to be desired? No source to provide media marine training? No source to provide media marine training? Marine training with most meteorology & atmospheric science programs is poor? Marine training with most meteorology & atmospheric science programs is poor? Our competition focuses on land, hence so will we? Our competition focuses on land, hence so will we? Better no information than wrong information? Better no information than wrong information?

Processing Marine Data Processing Marine Data Hardware & software to read & process marine “data formats” are not available with existing media equipment? Hardware & software to read & process marine “data formats” are not available with existing media equipment? Is too expensive? Is too expensive? Is inadequate or absent? Is inadequate or absent? Is inferior to land data? Is inferior to land data? Poor spatial/temporal resolution makes it of little value to the media? Poor spatial/temporal resolution makes it of little value to the media? Want quantitative not qualitative data? Want quantitative not qualitative data?

Media Use of Marine Data Media Use of Marine Data Data not available in desired locations? Data not available in desired locations?

Media Use of Marine Data Media Use of Marine Data Media realizes there are large local changes in marine “observations”? Media realizes there are large local changes in marine “observations”? Media decides not to show anything rather than show information representative of only a tiny portion of their viewer’s area? Media decides not to show anything rather than show information representative of only a tiny portion of their viewer’s area?

CONCLUSIONS 1) MEDIA CHARACTERISTICS (non scientific) 1) MEDIA CHARACTERISTICS (non scientific) 2) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS (“should” be high) 2) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS (“should” be high) 3) MEDIA MARINE DATA RESOLUTION (high & coastal) 3) MEDIA MARINE DATA RESOLUTION (high & coastal) The Media needs high temporal and spatial The Media needs high temporal and spatial resolution marine data and derived products resolution marine data and derived products for the immediate coastal zone (accessible on for the immediate coastal zone (accessible on media market systems! media market systems!

CONCLUSIONS What can media contribute? What can media contribute? Marine awareness Marine awareness IOOS visibility IOOS visibility Public service (marine) Public service (marine) Business Opportunities Business Opportunities Advertising Advertising Public service Public service Web links Web links Selling/buying IOOS data Selling/buying IOOS data Potential conflicts Potential conflicts Sole-source data access Sole-source data access 2) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS 2) MEDIA MARINE DATA NEEDS 3) MEDIA MARINE DATA RESOLUTION 3) MEDIA MARINE DATA RESOLUTION AND USAGE AND USAGE The Media needs high temporal and spatial The Media needs high temporal and spatial resolution marine data and derived products resolution marine data and derived products for the immediate coastal zone (accessible on for the immediate coastal zone (accessible on media market systems! media market systems!

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