The tropical storms mailing list

The Tropical Storms Mailing List (TSML) is an email discussion group only for those active in either the research or forecasting of tropical storms. This talk will discuss how the list began, the concept and goals, the future, as well as some highlights from the past 13 years. I will also discuss the newer Monsoon Mailing List (MML) that has been in operation since 2003. These mailing lists appear to be very successful at enhancing the exchange of tropical cyclone-monsoon knowledge and ideas and the promotion of quality dialog. Suggestions will be solicited.

I was a research coordinator / programmer on William Gray's tropical cyclone project for 18 years (1982-2000) and had been involved in the tropical community for 10 years by the time TSML was founded. I have been to many of the AMS hurricane meetings, and have had much interaction with many hurricane researchers.

Today the TSML has over 700 members – all of whom I have screened by their education, career, and involvement in the tropical cyclone community. Chris Landsea is the co-founder of TSML and actively assists with list promotion and the screening of potential members when I need a second opinion. The co-founder of the Monsoon list (MML) is John McBride. It was John who thought that the success of TSML and its operational model would also provide benefits in the monsoon community. Today MML has almost 200 qualified members.

Every message, image or attachment posted to these mailing lists is being archived for future reference to changing information and ideas. These mailing lists require up to 200 hours per year to maintain.