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MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov 

Alan Buis  (818) 354-0474
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

News Release: 2003-015                                               
February 7, 2003 

NASA El Nino Expert to Speak at Long Beach Weather Fair

As a dry Southern California braces for a possible return to wet
weather next week, a NASA oceanographer known for studying how Earth's
oceans affect our weather and climate and govern the El Nio/La Nina
phenomena will present a free public lecture titled, "When the Pacific
Speaks, the World Listens," at 2:45 p.m., Sunday, February 9, at the
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center.

Dr. Bill Patzert of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena,
Calif., will explain how JPL satellite technology is used to map
Earth's oceans. These data are a vital tool for oceanographers,
meteorologists and climatologists.  Monitoring the formation and
progress of phenomenon like this year's moderate El Nino has improved
long-term global weather and climate forecasts.  Patzert will discuss
impacts of El Nino, La Nina and even longer-term climate trends on
Southern California, the United States and the world.

Patzert began his oceanography career in the early 1970s.  A 20-year
JPL employee, he was formerly on the faculty of the University of
California's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif.  He
holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics from Purdue
University, Lafayette, Ind., and master's and doctorate degrees in
oceanography from the University of Hawaii.  The author of numerous
oceanography publications, he has been honored several times by NASA
and other organizations for his contributions to satellite
oceanography.  He regularly works with students around the world and
his climate expertise is often sought by reporters.

Patzert's presentation is part of the American Meteorological
Society's WeatherFest weather and science fair, dedicated to exploring
the fascinating field of meteorology and oceanography.  This free
event is open to the public and runs from Noon to 4 p.m.  JPL and
other NASA centers will be among the exhibitors.  The Long Beach
Convention and Entertainment Center is located at 300 East Ocean
Boulevard.  Parking is available at the Center for $8.00 or you may
use the free Long Beach Passport Bus.  For more information, see:
http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/meet/83rdannual/2ndweatherfest.html .

The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena manages JPL for
NASA.

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