Media advisory: Briefing on the growing risks of hailstorms, Aug. 14

Contact for reporters:
Anne Manning
[email protected]
(970) 491-7099

Note to reporters: For a link to access a live webcast of this event, contact Anne Manning at [email protected] or David Hosansky at [email protected]

What:

On Aug. 14, Colorado State University atmospheric scientist Kristen Rasmussen will participate in a briefing for reporters on what is known about hailstorms, and new research to better understand and forecast them.

The media conference is part of the North American Hail Workshop. The workshop brings together scientists, insurers and other hail experts to discuss the evolving nature of hailstorms and how to better protect society.

The workshop and media conference are hosted by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a National Science Foundation-sponsored center devoted to service, research and education in atmospheric and related sciences.

Hailstorms are responsible for more than $10 billion in damage annually across North America, and these costs are expected to increase in the future because of climate change and more development in hail-prone areas. As a recent storm in Colorado Springs showed, hail is also a significant threat to public safety.

Rasmussen will briefly discuss the influence of climate change on hailstorms, as well as an upcoming lightning-observation field project called RELAMPAGO. She will be joined by three other leading hail experts.

When and where:

Tuesday, Aug. 14
11 a.m.
NCAR and UCAR Center Green 1, 3080 Center Green Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80301

Speakers:

Andrew Heymsfield, senior scientist, NCAR
Ian Giammanco, lead research meteorologist, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Kristen Rasmussen, assistant professor, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University
Andreas Prein, project scientist, NCAR

RSVP to:

David Hosansky, NCAR Manager of Media Relations
(303) 497-8611
[email protected]

or

Ali Branscombe, NCAR Communications Specialist
(303) 497-8609
[email protected]

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research under sponsorship by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this release do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.