Meteorologists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory plan to take a harder look in 2020 at a prime, yet difficult to model, component of the global water cycle known as atmospheric rivers.
Rivers in the sky, sometimes known as the Maya or Pineapple Express, account for most of the horizontal moisture transported outside of the tropics – the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn – and even up into the Arctic.
Horizontal moisture transport is water moving from east to west or north to south, as opposed to moisture moving vertically from the ocean to the atmosphere.
“These narrow rivers move a significant amount of water through the air, even though they take up a relatively small area,” said Carolyn Reynolds, Ph.D., head of the Probabilistic Prediction Research Office at NRL. “Large atmospheric rivers can transport as much moisture as the Amazon.”
On average, just a few atmospheric river events are responsible for 30 to 50 percent of the annual rainfall on the West Coast, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
The significant moisture, high surface winds, and associated severe weather these planetary features bring makes being able to predict them important to the Navy and Marine Corps. For example, the 2010 Maya Express contributed to Washington, D.C.’s “Snowmaggedon,” which dropped about 5 feet of snow in the area over approximately four days.
“What makes them a little bit confounding to model is how dynamic they are,” Reynolds said. “They can last up to several days, they can pulse, and small details on their edges can have a big impact on how they evolve.”
Reynolds said current weather models can be off by hundreds of kilometers even for short forecasts of just a few days.
“There is a lot about them we still need to understand, especially the ocean and air interactions,” she said. “We have a basic knowledge, but still have to get to the details.”
Reynolds and James Doyle, Ph.D., senior scientist in NRL’s marine meteorology division use sophisticated methods called adjoints to discern how the forecasts of these rivers are very sensitive to small changes in the structure of the rivers.
Reynolds said the adjoint tools are not unique, but are among the most complete and highest fidelity in the world. The team’s adjoints will be put to the test in 2020 when NRL will collaborate with other agencies to get live data on atmospheric rivers.
Going for a river cruise
In early 2020, NRL is on track to participate in an Eastern Pacific field project, led by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, to collect in situ observations of atmospheric rivers. Researchers sample in situ observations directly in the environment, vice using remote means such as satellites. NRL participated in similar field programs in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
During the project, NRL’s adjoint modeling system will be used to direct the U.S Air Force’s “Hurricane Hunter” WC-130J aircraft. The goal is to provide the optimal flight paths for the Hurricane Hunters to use their onboard sensors and deploy instrumented packages with parachutes known as dropsondes.
In situ observations are highly valuable. NRL meteorologists developed a technique, called the Forecast Sensitivity/Observation Impact, to measure each data point’s impact on reducing forecast error and to better understand biases in their weather models.
“Direct observations of actual weather conditions in these atmospheric rivers can have an outsized impact on our forecasts,” Reynolds said. “In the past, we’ve shown that having at least two aircraft collecting observations can reduce our 24-hour forecast error as much as the entire North American radiosonde (weather balloon) network.”
NRL’s work on atmospheric rivers is funded by its basic science program, and is scheduled to continue through 2022.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL headquarters is located in Washington, D.C., with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, Key West, Florida, and Monterey, California, and employs approximately 2,500 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
New Category of Hybrid Smartwatches Features Always-on Read Out Display and Two-Week Battery Life
Fossil Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FOSL) today announced the latest addition to the hybrid smartwatch category: Hybrid HR.
Engineered by Fossil Group’s 200-person research and development team, Hybrid HR is Fossil Group’s most advanced hybrid smartwatch technology ever, featuring the most important information at a glance – text messages, alerts, caller ID, heart rate and activity tracking – all with a two-week battery life. Hybrid HR technology will be available first from the Fossil brand this 2019 holiday retail season.
“Fossil Group’s commitment to fostering continuous, cutting-edge innovation has made this enhancement of hybrid technology possible,” said Fossil Group Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Greg McKelvey. “With each evolution of our products, we aim to integrate the features our customers need with the style they love – and Hybrid HR does exactly that.”
Combining the best of digital and analog smartwatches, Hybrid HR smartwatches are encased in the classic styling of a traditional watch and feature key elements found in touchscreen smartwatches, including:
Always-on Display: Combines mechanical hands with a dynamic, full round read-out display to view incoming text messages, caller ID and app alerts as well as dynamic, contextual information such as weather updates, second time zone and more
Customization: Allows users to choose between a variety of backgrounds, dial elements and button assignments to designate which notifications you receive or functions to perform – from texts to app alerts or reminders to get up and move
Long Lasting Battery Life: With all features activated, Hybrid HR lasts more than two weeks on a single charge
In-Depth Wellness Tracking: Displays wellness stats including heart rate, steps, calories and active minutes, and allows users to log workouts, track sleep and measure progress over time
“With Hybrid HR, we continue to broaden Fossil Group’s diverse portfolio, offering the most – and most innovative – hybrid and touchscreen smartwatch options of any company in the world,” said McKelvey.
This is the latest technology by Fossil Group to hit the market this year. For example, in August, Fossil Group announced and brought to retail new, proprietary nextgen touchscreen smartwatch technology. Features on the touchscreen smartwatches include the proprietary Phone app, which is the first and only app that makes tethered calls for iPhone users possible on the Wear OS by Google platform, and the Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™ 3100 processor platform. Additional elements include a microphone and swimproof speaker, increased storage, extended battery life for multi-day usage and new app-based experiences.
The launch of these new smartwatch technologies furthers Fossil Group’s recent success. Fossil Group, with over $400 million in wearable device sales in 2018, will launch more than 100 new smartwatch styles across 10 brands this 2019 fall/holiday retail season.
Fossil Group, Inc. is a global design, marketing, distribution and innovation company specializing in lifestyle accessories. Under a diverse portfolio of owned and licensed brands, our offerings include fashion watches, jewelry, handbags, small leather goods and wearables. We are committed to delivering the best in design and innovation across our owned brands, Fossil, Michele, Misfit, Relic, Skagen and Zodiac, and licensed brands, Armani Exchange, BMW, Chaps, Diesel, DKNY, Emporio Armani, kate spade new york, Michael Kors, Puma and Tory Burch. We bring each brand story to life through an extensive distribution network across numerous geographies, categories and channels. Certain press release and SEC filing information concerning the Company is also available at www.fossilgroup.com.
Public safety personnel across the country continue to turn to FirstNet to advance their routine and emergency responses. Nearly 9,000 public safety agencies and organizations have subscribed to FirstNet, accounting for over 750,000 connections in service. And the numbers are growing daily.
Why? Because the FirstNet communications platform – built with AT&T* and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – offers first responders and those critical to their response a purpose-built experience they can\’t get anywhere else.
\”FirstNet is designed to be different because that\’s what public safety specifically asked for. This is the only platform that has been built from the ground up just for this community, and we believe FirstNet is the most important network in the country because it serves public safety across the country,\” said Chris Sambar, senior vice president, FirstNet Program at AT&T. \”As we grow and evolve FirstNet, we\’re proud to connect more members of the public safety community and further empower the men and women we rely on to keep us safe with the advanced communications capabilities needed to help strengthen their mission delivery.\”
For the second consecutive quarter, FirstNet brings its subscribers the fastest overall network experience. According to the results of tests taken with Speedtest as analyzed by AT&T, FirstNet once again performed faster than any commercial network.1
These results come as the number of markets with the FirstNet Band 14 spectrum nears 650.2 We\’re moving quickly with about 65% of our nationwide coverage targets completed well ahead of schedule. The more we roll out Band 14 across the country, the more we\’re able to provide first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it. This helps them reliably connect to critical information, communicate and coordinate.
And in the coming months, FirstNet subscribers will be getting another boost in their connectivity. AT&T and Assured Wireless Corporation are working together to develop safe and effective solutions that bring first responders the true benefits of high-power user equipment (HPUE). Following 3GPP standards, HPUE solutions can transmit at stronger signals. This signal increase can only be done using the FirstNet Band 14 spectrum.
That\’s huge for public safety. For rural and remote responders, HPUE could significantly increase their coverage area. For urban and suburban responders, this will help solve the common challenge of indoor coverage. The stronger signal will better assist those connecting from hard-to-reach places like basements, elevators, stairwells and parking garages, helping first responders communicate inside and out.
\”Our collaboration with AT&T is a perfect example of technology\’s power to do great things for public safety,\” said Tom Bilotta, CEO of Assured Wireless Corporation. \”The standards-based HPUE solutions that we plan to bring forward will build on the unique capabilities of FirstNet to further strengthen first responders\’ ability to communicate no matter where their mission takes them.\”
Increased Reliability, Redundancy and Resiliency Through Disasters Since establishing the FirstNet Response Operations Program a year ago, public safety has turned to FirstNet to help support them during both planned and emergency events. This year alone, we have helped first responders stay connected during nearly 75 emergency events. From wildfires and floods, to a tropical storm turned hurricane and tornadoes, to search and rescue missions in remote locations and more, FirstNet has been there.
\”The support we received from FirstNet during the record rainfall and flooding earlier this year was second to none,\” said Keenan Campbell, Situation Unit Leader – Illinois Incident Management Team. \”Having a FirstNet SatCOLT rapidly deployed and onsite to keep our command post connected to our broader team was an invaluable asset to our mission, and it gives me peace of mind knowing that I have a network that will be there when and where I need it.\”
Plus, we\’ve supported agencies at more than 100 planned events this year, including coast-to-coast 4th of July celebrations. First responders have also relied on FirstNet during music festivals, sporting events and speaker rallies for public officials.
When emergencies strike, it\’s also critical that 911 call centers have the tools they need to maintain operations. To help 911 communicators stay connected during potential service-impacting situations, 911 call centers can now use FirstNet as a wireless backup solution to AT&T ESInet™ – a smarter, modernized 911 call-routing service.
This backup capability is enabled by AT&T Private Mobile Connection, which connects AT&T ESInet to FirstNet for added redundancy. If AT&T ESInet detects a failure in the primary connection to the PSAP, emergency calls will be automatically routed over FirstNet. Keeping PSAPs connected during critical times helps improve emergency response and enables 911 communicators to provide seamless service to the community until the primary connection is restored.
Enhanced Situational Awareness and Security The FirstNet communications platform goes beyond delivering reliable and redundant connectivity to public safety. It builds on that connectivity with innovative apps that can cost-effectively transform capabilities, drive efficiencies, enhance situational awareness and increase security. New apps launched in and coming to the FirstNet App Catalog – created specifically for public safety – include:
FirstNet Assist – Now FirstNet Certified™ and included in the FirstNet App Catalog, this solution allows public safety support personnel in the field to see active events and incidents within a 50-mile radius and request device uplift. This app also provides all users with direct access to dedicated FirstNet Care specialists specially trained to help first responders and performs device diagnostics.
Response for FirstNet – This low-cost, simple-to-use situational awareness platform now provides new features to FirstNet subscribers, like live location, media sharing and team mobilization, to support day-to-day and emergency operations.
FirstNet Cybersecurity Awareness – When it comes to cybersecurity, it\’s no secret that people are considered the first line of defense. This holds true for public safety. So, this app, coming soon to the FirstNet App Catalog, will provide public safety agencies with easy-to-use educational materials that help keep cybersecurity top of mind. The app will also include training videos that simply break down cybersecurity concerns like social engineering, phishing and spoofing, so first responders have the tools they need to stay cyber-aware and cyber-safe.
\”As we planned for FirstNet, we worked hand-in-hand with public safety across the nation to help us design a network to meet their critical communications needs,\” said Jeff Bratcher, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, FirstNet Authority. \”We are pleased with the progress AT&T continues to make to fulfill the promise of FirstNet – delivering the tools public safety asked for to help with their lifesaving mission. This is public safety\’s network, and we will continue to engage with them to advance their network, FirstNet, for years to come.\”
FirstNet is public safety\’s dedicated, nationwide communications platform. It\’s bringing public safety communications into the 21st century with new, innovative capabilities to strengthen first responders\’ incident response. And it\’s helping them connect to the critical information they need – every day and in every emergency.
Attending the APCO 2019 Conference & Expo in Baltimore? Stop by booth #623 to learn more about FirstNet or check out FirstNet Assist in the New Product Zone. More on FirstNet can also be found here.
1Based on AT&T analysis of Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data average download speeds for Q2 2019. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission. 2Markets defined by FCC CMAs.
*About AT&T Communications We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we innovate to improve lives. We have the nation\’s fastest wireless network.** And according to America\’s biggest test, we have the nation\’s best wireless network.*** We\’re building FirstNet just for first responders and creating next-generation mobile 5G. With DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW and WatchTV, we deliver entertainment people love to talk about. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve nearly 3 million global businesses – nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And worldwide, our spirit of service drives employees to give back to their communities.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at facebook.com/att and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.
Gaming, a fast-paced and ever-expanding multi-billion dollar-a-year market, has shaped our culture and driven innovation for consumer experiences. As businesses re-tool to meet and exceed loyalty-challenged consumer expectations, enterprises are well-served by taking cues from this nontraditional industry.
Bill Bronske, Senior Solutions Architect – Artificial Intelligence, Globant
Bill has over 20 years’ experience delivering custom solutions and commercial software products in key engineering roles. He is the chief architect responsible for Globant’s OTT platform, Signal, a video services platform that powers native mobile client apps, consoles, and smart TVs. His passion to deliver optimum partner value has earned the confidence and repeat business of many startups, mid-size and enterprise customers. Bill is an inventor of four patented internet technologies and currently leads Globant’s AI and engineering efforts in Seattle.
About Globant
Globant, a digitally native software services company of over 10K members strong and founded in 2003, empowers organizations through digital and cognitive transformations. Globant’s organizational fitness lifecycle and deep pockets of expertise in the latest technologies and trends enables our customers to stay ahead of their markets.
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