News
General Interest
2008 Monsoon Weather Discussion
June 19, 2008
The University of Arizona's Department of Atmospheric Sciences will host a number of online monsoon weather discussions for interested faculty, natural resource managers, and citizens beginning Monday, June 23. The discussions will take place at 11:30 AM on Mondays and Wednesdays until the monsoon proper arrives, and will meet every week day at the same time one it does arrive.
The briefings will end in early August. The expected format will consist of a 30-minute weather discussion for short-range (one to two days) and medium-range (three to five days) forecasts followed by a short question and answer period about the discussed weather events.
Participants may attend the briefings in person, in the Physics and Atmospheric Sciences Building, Room 488 (1118 E. 4th St., in Tucson), or can join the discussion via computer.
The following information will help participants join the meeting using their computers:
What equipment do participants need?
The meeting will be hosted online using the Breeze web communication software at http://www.adobe.com/resources/breeze/ This system integrates voice, chat, and video communications to facilitate online meetings and presentations. Several pieces of equipment are necessary to participate in the meeting. At a minimum you need a computer with a high-speed internet connection (DSL or cable internet will work fine), computer speakers, and a microphone if you wish to participate using the voice communication feature. (Alternatively, you can also use a typing chat feature to ask questions or provide feedback).
What software is needed?
Your computer needs two pieces of free software to run the Breeze system: Macromedia Flash and Shockwave. They support streaming audio and video within your internet browser and are the main components to run Breeze on your local computer.
1.Go to this link to check if you have Flash and Shockwave installed or to download and install these components:
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/
2.Download and install the optional Macromedia Breeze Meeting Add-in. This add-in is not required, but will help solve potential screen resolution problems.
Install Windows Add-in:
http://www.macromedia.com/go/breeze_addin_install_win/
Install Mac Add-in:
http://www.macromedia.com/go/breeze_addin_install_mac/
3. Go to this link to test your software setup and connection to make sure you are ready to participate in any Breeze meeting. http://breeze.ltc.arizona.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
How do I attend and participate in the meeting?
The meeting will start at 11:30 AM on the June 16, but feel free to log-in to the meeting room early to test out the system and make sure your settings are correct. Check out this link to learn how to join a meeting and optimize web settings: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/employee/participating.htm We will be limiting the use of microphones to presenters only and will turn on microphones to individual participants if they want to ask questions using the voice feature. We are encouraging participants to ask questions and provide feedback using the chat feature. The meeting will last 30 minutes.
To join the briefings at 11:30 AM, click on http://breeze.ltc.arizona.edu/monsoon/. When you login to the meeting, please provide your full name and affiliation as a user name (example: Mike Leuthold, Department of Atmospheric Sciences).
For more information
Mike Leuthold: leuthold@atmo.arizona.edu
Stephen Bieda, III: bieda@atmo.arizona.edu
Disclaimer
These discussions are experimental and include the use of an experimental weather model. Please note that the National Weather Service is the main source for official weather forecasts. Neither the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at The University of Arizona nor its contributors shall be held liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information described and/or contained herein and assumes no responsibility for anyone's use of the information. In no event shall the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at The University of Arizona or contributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement or substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this system, even if advised of the possibility of such damage. This disclaimer of liability applies to any damages or injury, including but not limited to those caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of record, whether for breach of contract tortuous behavior, negligence or under any other cause of action.