CW3E Presents to the UC San Diego Community Advisory Group

October 29, 2024

The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) participated in a meeting for the UC San Diego Community Advisory Group (CAG) with Margaret Leinen, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Morgan Levy, Co-PI of NSF’s Coastlines and Peoples Southern California Heat Hub. The Community Advisory Group includes varied members of the San Diego community to foster a positive and productive relationship with UC San Diego. Communities include La Jolla, University City, Hillcrest and Downtown San Diego, as well as University representatives from the Associated Students (AS), Graduate Student Association (GSA), Staff, Faculty and Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board (CCAB). The Community Advisory Group is formed with a special emphasis on collaborating with the local San Diego community and to provide insights on the various facets and functions of the university, including the positive impact that UC San Diego has at the local and regional levels.

After Margaret gave an overview of current research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, CW3E’s Deanna Nash gave a short presentation on the historical atmospheric river event that impacted San Diego on January 22, 2024. The event on January 22, 2024 produced 2–4 inches of precipitation in parts of San Diego County, contributing 25–50% of normal annual precipitation in a 24-hour period. The intense rainfall resulted in widespread flooding across San Diego, prompting several swiftwater rescues. Additionally, Deanna shared how CW3E’s AR Reconnaissance is improving atmospheric river and precipitation forecasts and how Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) are improving drought and flood resilience in California.