Focus of Session: There are many open questions in characterizing the interaction of the ocean, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and land surface, especially at their interface in coastal regions. Characterizing these interactions in the coastal environment remains highly uncertain due to fine temporal and spatial scale interactions among the physical, biochemical, hydrological and land processes, calling for an interdisciplinary approach in observational, data assimilation and modeling studies. While observations provide insight into current and past trends and variability, regional coastal modeling and data assimilation fills the gap between global models and the growing demand for reliable information and predictions at much more highly resolved scales in the coastal environment. This session will focus on the critical importance of accurately coupling the atmosphere, ocean, hydrosphere and land surface for modeling, research and operational prediction, with an emphasis on the essential importance of satellite-derived data for monitoring, modeling and data assimilation. Studies are encouraged that include efforts for the coupling of oceanic, atmospheric, hydrologic and land surface models from global and basin scales to regional coastal scales. We encourage observational papers addressing the variability and trends in the coastal environment. We also emphasize the development of tools for assessing uncertainty estimates of the predictions at coastal scales. Partnering Conferences: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment (CE); the 17th Conference on Integrating Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Ocean and Land Surface (IOAS-AOLS); and Satellite Meteorology, Oceanography and Climatology (SMOC) Lead Conference: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment Format of session: Invited papers __X__ Submitted papers __X__ Panel discussion ___ Contacts: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment: Frank Aikman, NOAA/NOS, frank.aikman@noaa.gov; 17th Conference on Integrating Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Ocean and Land Surface, Ken Carey (Earth Resources Technology (ERT), Inc.), ken.carey@ertcorp.com; Satellite Meteorology, Oceanography and Climatology, Philip Ardanuy (Raytheon) Philip_E_Ardanuy@raytheon.com

Focus of Session: There are many open questions in characterizing the interaction of the ocean, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and land surface, especially at their interface in coastal regions. Characterizing these interactions in the coastal environment remains highly uncertain due to fine temporal and spatial scale interactions among the physical, biochemical, hydrological and land processes, calling for an interdisciplinary approach in observational, data assimilation and modeling studies. While observations provide insight into current and past trends and variability, regional coastal modeling and data assimilation fills the gap between global models and the growing demand for reliable information and predictions at much more highly resolved scales in the coastal environment. This session will focus on the critical importance of accurately coupling the atmosphere, ocean, hydrosphere and land surface for modeling, research and operational prediction, with an emphasis on the essential importance of satellite-derived data for monitoring, modeling and data assimilation. Studies are encouraged that include efforts for the coupling of oceanic, atmospheric, hydrologic and land surface models from global and basin scales to regional coastal scales. We encourage observational papers addressing the variability and trends in the coastal environment. We also emphasize the development of tools for assessing uncertainty estimates of the predictions at coastal scales. Partnering Conferences: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment (CE); the 17th Conference on Integrating Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Ocean and Land Surface (IOAS-AOLS); and Satellite Meteorology, Oceanography and Climatology (SMOC) Lead Conference: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment Format of session: Invited papers __X__ Submitted papers __X__ Panel discussion ___ Contacts: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment: Frank Aikman, NOAA/NOS, frank.aikman@noaa.gov; 17th Conference on Integrating Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Ocean and Land Surface, Ken Carey (Noblis), kenneth.carey@noblis.org; Satellite Meteorology, Oceanography and Climatology, Philip Ardanuy (Raytheon) Philip_E_Ardanuy@raytheon.com

Several processes occur between the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and the ocean surface; these processes mediate the exchange of momentum, heat and gas, with important environmental and/or climate impacts, especially in coastal zones. Islands and mountainous coastal regions perturb the atmospheric (orographic) flows inducing strong impacts to the ocean surface. Such regions function as ideal hot-spots to study the coupled system, bringing together atmosphere and ocean scientists alike. On the other hand, extreme weather events such as hurricanes have also been used as case studies to further explore the air-sea coupling system. In this session, we propose to discuss studies, which contribute to improve our understanding of the dynamics occurring at the interface between the sea surface and the ABL on short timescales (less than a week), including observations, numerical modeling and/or laboratory studies. To further improve the current state-of-the-art, we encourage the discussion of studies emphasizing two-way coupling and feedback mechanisms, which contribute to the improvement of monitoring and forecasting systems. Our session particularly encourages efforts using pre-operational and operational two-way coupled modeling tools such as COAMPS - and the challenges and opportunities these systems present.

Several processes occur between the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and the ocean surface; these processes mediate the exchange of momentum, heat and gas, with important environmental and/or climate impacts, especially in coastal zones. Islands and mountainous coastal regions perturb the atmospheric (orographic) flows inducing strong impacts to the ocean surface. Such regions function as ideal hot-spots to study the coupled system, bringing together atmosphere and ocean scientists alike. On the other hand, extreme weather events such as hurricanes have also been used as case studies to further explore the air-sea coupling system. In this session, we propose to discuss studies, which contribute to improve our understanding of the dynamics occurring at the interface between the sea surface and the ABL on short timescales (less than a week), including observations, numerical modeling and/or laboratory studies. To further improve the current state-of-the-art, we encourage the discussion of studies emphasizing two-way coupling and feedback mechanisms, which contribute to the improvement of monitoring and forecasting systems. Our session particularly encourages efforts using pre-operational and operational two-way coupled modeling tools such as COAMPS - and the challenges and opportunities these systems present.

Several processes occur between the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and the ocean surface; these processes mediate the exchange of momentum, heat and gas, with important environmental and/or climate impacts, especially in coastal zones. Islands and mountainous coastal regions perturb the atmospheric (orographic) flows inducing strong impacts to the ocean surface. Such regions function as ideal hot-spots to study the coupled system, bringing together atmosphere and ocean scientists alike. On the other hand, extreme weather events such as hurricanes have also been used as case studies to further explore the air-sea coupling system. In this session, we propose to discuss studies, which contribute to improve our understanding of the dynamics occurring at the interface between the sea surface and the ABL on short timescales (less than a week), including observations, numerical modeling and/or laboratory studies. To further improve the current state-of-the-art, we encourage the discussion of studies emphasizing two-way coupling and feedback mechanisms, which contribute to the improvement of monitoring and forecasting systems. Our session particularly encourages efforts using pre-operational and operational two-way coupled modeling tools such as COAMPS - and the challenges and opportunities these systems present.

Physical interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, and hydrosphere in the coastal zone are the subject of many open questions that are being addressed by ocean modelers. Characterizing these interactions at the air-sea-land interfaces remains highly uncertain due to limited observations, complex physics, and fine temporal and spatial scale interactions among the physical processes. While observations provide some insight into present and past trends and variability, regional coastal ocean modeling is attempting to fill the gap between global models and the beach. There is a growing demand from many quarters for reliable information and predictions at highly resolved scales in the multidisciplinary coastal environment. This session will focus on forecast systems being applied in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone It will include operational, pre-operational and transition model-based forecast systems. Presentations on atmosphere-ocean-wave model coupling, global (or basin scale) ocean model coupling to regional scale models, and coastal ocean-hydrologic model coupling are welcome. Papers addressing uncertainty estimates of the predictions at coastal scales are also welcome. Contributions from operational or quasi-operational groups that are providing ocean modeling support are encouraged, as are presentations that address approaches, innovations, issues and user support.

Focus of Session: Many open questions in characterizing the climate of the ocean, atmosphere, and land are further emphasized at their interface in coastal regions. Decadal projections of the coastal environment remain highly uncertain due to fine temporal and spatial scale interactions among the physical, biological and hydrological processes, calling for an interdisciplinary and mesoscale approach in observational and modeling studies. While observations provide insights in current and past trends and variability, regional modeling fills the gap between the future projections by the global climate models and the growing demand for adaptation and mitigation strategies at highly resolved scales. This session's focus is to assess the coastal manifestation in physical, biological and hydrological environments of the global climate variability and change. We encourage observational papers addressing the variability and trends in the coastal environments. Studies are welcome that focus on building and testing of the capacity for decadal hindcasts and projections in the coastal environment using regional scale to integrated Earth System models, including the efforts for coupling of atmospheric, oceanic, hydrologic and ecological models. We also emphasize the development of tools for assessing uncertainty estimates of the predictions at coastal scales and the provision of physical and ecological decision assistance, tools and applications. Partnering Conferences: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment (CE) and the Conference on Climate Variability and Change (CVC) Lead Conference: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment Format of session: Invited papers __X__ Submitted papers __X__ Panel discussion ___ Contacts: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment: Hyodae Seo, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, hseo@whoi.edu and Darko Koracin, Desert Research Institute, Darko.Koracin@dri.edu CVC: Aiguo Dai, National Center for Atmospheric Research, adai@ucar.edu

Focus of Session: Many open questions in characterizing the climate of the ocean, atmosphere, and land are further emphasized at their interface in coastal regions. Decadal projections of the coastal environment remain highly uncertain due to fine temporal and spatial scale interactions among the physical, biological and hydrological processes, calling for an interdisciplinary and mesoscale approach in observational and modeling studies. While observations provide insights in current and past trends and variability, regional modeling fills the gap between the future projections by the global climate models and the growing demand for adaptation and mitigation strategies at highly resolved scales. This session's focus is to assess the coastal manifestation in physical, biological and hydrological environments of the global climate variability and change. We encourage observational papers addressing the variability and trends in the coastal environments. Studies are welcome that focus on building and testing of the capacity for decadal hindcasts and projections in the coastal environment using regional scale to integrated Earth System models, including the efforts for coupling of atmospheric, oceanic, hydrologic and ecological models. We also emphasize the development of tools for assessing uncertainty estimates of the predictions at coastal scales and the provision of physical and ecological decision assistance, tools and applications. Partnering Conferences: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment (CE) and the Conference on Climate Variability and Change (CVC) Lead Conference: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment Format of session: Invited papers __X__ Submitted papers __X__ Panel discussion ___ Contacts: 11th Symposium on the Coastal Environment: Hyodae Seo, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, hseo@whoi.edu and Darko Koracin, Desert Research Institute, Darko.Koracin@dri.edu CVC: Aiguo Dai, National Center for Atmospheric Research, adai@ucar.edu

With the development of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), most of its 11 constituent Regional Associations have fostered the implementation of real-time, pre-operational and R&D coastal ocean circulation (& related) modeling systems. In the context of the overall meeting’s theme of environmental prediction and the associated session addressing the federal, pre-operational, transitional, and operational modeling systems, this session aims to survey this modeling cohort for its present status and lessons learned. For example, there is interest in (1) the adequacy of observational and larger scale model data to support regional modeling activities, (2) the efficacy of extant scientific and application metrics for skill assessments, and (3) the experience gained interacting with forecasters and other users, plus a variety of other such topics. An area of particular interest is the coupling of regional ocean circulation models to wave and storm surge models, atmospheric models, hydrological models, ecosystem models, etc.

With the development of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), most of its 11 constituent Regional Associations have fostered the implementation of real-time, pre-operational and R&D coastal ocean circulation (& related) modeling systems. In the context of the overall meeting’s theme of environmental prediction and the associated session addressing the federal, pre-operational, transitional, and operational modeling systems, this session aims to survey this modeling cohort for its present status and lessons learned. For example, there is interest in (1) the adequacy of observational and larger scale model data to support regional modeling activities, (2) the efficacy of extant scientific and application metrics for skill assessments, and (3) the experience gained interacting with forecasters and other users, plus a variety of other such topics. An area of particular interest is the coupling of regional ocean circulation models to wave and storm surge models, atmospheric models, hydrological models, ecosystem models, etc.