NOAA to announce U.S. Spring Outlook and flood risk on March 18

NOAA will announce the spring flood potential across the country during its annual Spring Outlook media briefing at 11 a.m. on Thu., March 18. Experts will also deliver the temperature, precipitation and drought outlooks for April through June, followed by a Q&A.

Much of the U.S. Southwest is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought offsite link conditions. Forecasters will discuss where drought may improve or worsen in the coming weeks and months, as well as low flow of water in streams and rivers in the west.

NOAA produces outlooks to help communities prepare for weather and environmental conditions that are likely during the coming months, to minimize effects on lives and livelihoods. Empowering people with information to prepare and take action is key to NOAA’s effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation.

WHEN:
11 a.m. EDT, Thurs., March 18

WHAT:
For the first time, NOAA will be providing the media briefing to announce the U.S. Spring Outlook and flood risk by video using GoToMeeting. The briefing will be followed by a Q&A session.

For credentialed reporters only.

Interested reporters must register using our new GoToMeeting form offsite link.

To participate in the Q&A portion of the media briefing, please be sure to register using your full name and media affiliation. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

SPEAKERS:        

• Mary Erickson, deputy director, NOAA’s National Weather Service
• Jon Gottschalck, chief, Operational Prediction Branch, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center
• Ed Clark, director, National Water Center
• Don Cline, associate director of water resources, United States Geological Survey

Additional experts available during Q&A:

• Karin Gleason, climatologist, NOAA's National Center for Environmental Information
• Brad Rippey, meteorologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Regional NOAA water experts

NOAA’s Spring Weather Safety Campaign offers information on hazardous spring weather — tornadoes, floods, thunderstorm winds, hail, lightning, heat, wildfires, rip currents and tsunamis — and tips on how to stay safe.