Pacific Implementation Panel

Summer School on
"El Nino-Southern Oscillation: Dynamics and Predictability

14-23 June 2008, Puna, Big Island, Hawai'i, USA

The school will address key scientific questions on ENSO dynamics and predictability and will get students involved in challenging little research projects that might eventually result in publishable works.

This school aims at training the next generation of scientists that will continue to do ENSO-relevant research, improve our understanding of ENSO and develop better seasonal and long-term forecasting techniques.

The Summer School Objectives are:

- to train the next generation of climate scientists in ENSO dynamics and forecasting
- to establish a new network of outstanding young scientists to tackle the unresolved questions of ENSO dynamics
- to provide top-notch supervision for international PhD students in the field of climate dynamics

Leading ENSO experts will offer hands-on classes on ENSO research in a paradise-like setting in Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii

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The Topics covered at the ENSO Summer School will include:

- ENSO theory (Lecturers: Fei-Fei Jin, UH, USA)
- Paleo-ENSO ( Lecturers: Axel Timmermann, UH, USA)
- ENSO phenomenology: from observations to predictions (Lecturer: Mike McPhaden, PMEL, USA)
- Predictability theory (Lecturer: Richard Kleeman, NYU, USA)
- Operational ENSO forecasting (Lecturer: Magdalena Balmaseda, ECWMF, UK)
- Decadal climate variability, global warming and ENSO (Lecturer: Scott Power, BMRC)

Preliminary Agenda

Day 1: 14 June
arrival at Hilo airport, three pick-up times for Bus transportation (11am, 2pm, 6pm)
ice-breaker party

Day 2: 15 June
introduction,
morning lecture on ENSO phenomenology (McPhaden),
afternoon lecture on ENSO theory (Jin),
afternoon time for student projects,
evening trip to beach

Day 3: 16 June
morning lecture on ENSO phenomenology (McPhaden),
afternoon lecture on ENSO theory (Jin),
afternoon students own research presentations

Day 4: 17 June
visit of Mauna Loa CO2 observatory (guided tour),
lava tube on Saddle Road,
Hilo, Rainbow Falls,
snorkeling in Hilo

Day 5: 18 June
morning lecture on ENSO theory (Jin),
afternoon lecture on paleo ENSO (Timmermann),
student projects

Day 6: 19 June
morning lecture on decadal climate variability, global warming and ENSO (Power),
afternoon lecture on ENSO prediction (Balmaseda),
student projects

Day 7: 20 June
morning lecture on decadal climate variability, global warming and ENSO (Power),
afternoon lecture on ENSO prediction (Balmaseda),
visit Hilo Tsunami museum

Day 8: 21 June
morning lecture on Predictability theory (Kleeman),
afternoon students own research presentations,
student projects

Day 9: 22 June
morning lecture on paleo ENSO (Timmermann),
Volcano National Park hiking

Day 10: 23 June
morning lecture on Predictability theory (Kleeman),
final presentations of student projects works,
farewell party

Day 11: 24 June
departure

A very important part of our summer school will be the student projects. Some of the small projects could turn into cutting edge scientific discoveries. A team of 2 or more students will work on one project for the entire 10 days. The final results of these projects will be presented on the last day of our summer school.

The list of projects can be found at: http://iprc.soest.hawaii.edu/~axel/ENSOprojects.html

Please send to Axel Timmermann (axel@hawaii.edu) and Roberta Boscolo (rbos@iim.csic.es) a list of your preferences (1st, 2nd and 3rd choice). Research teams will be formed considering the preferences.

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The Fee for attending the ENSO Summer School is 1200 USD
It includes registration, full board accommodation and excursions (the accommodation costs are based on the stay in a double room). The Application process is CLOSED

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The workshop location can sometimes be in the downwind region of an active volcano, which means increased level of sulfur-dioxide in the air (check air-quality current condition). Participants with asthma, heart or lang problems should be aware that there may be high levels of volcanic fumes at times in the area, which may aggravate or induce medical conditions. Participants would come at their own risk and are requested to sign the UCAR activity release form and send (fax) it to:
Ms. Jill Reisdorf
UCAR-JOSS
3300 Mitchell Lane, Suite 2312
Boulder CO 80301 USA
Fax: 303 497 8633

Current Eruption Updates:
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam3/
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam/index.htm

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For more information on the ENSO school please contact:

Roberta Boscolo
IIM-CSIC
Eduardo Cabello 6
36208 Vigo SPAIN
Fax +34 986 292762
E-mail: rbos@iim.csic.es

Axel Timmermann
IPRC, SOEST, University of Hawaii
2525 Correa Road
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Tel: +1-808-9562720
Email: axel@hawaii.edu

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last updated 24 Mayo, 2008 by Roberta Boscolo