The latest science and technology for monitoring and predicting weather and understanding precipitation trends and localized meteorological phenomena in the Sierra Nevada and the Intermountain West will be discussed by participants in a workshop at the Desert Research Institute in Reno Nov. 6. Nearly 100 researchers and forecasters attending the10th Annual Workshop on Weather Prediction in the Intermountain West will examine critical meteorological and precipitation issues for the region stretching from the west slope of the Sierra Nevada to the east slope of the Rocky Mountains. The workshop is jointly sponsored by DRI's Division of Atmospheric Sciences, the University of Utah Department of Meteorology, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Held for the first time in Reno--all previous workshops took place in Salt Lake City--participants will focus on many isues related to weather prediction in the highly changeable region. The overall objectives of the series of workshops are to discuss major issues related to operational meteorology over the western United States and to foster interactions between researchers, applied meteorologists and other professionals who rely on weather forecasts or data. In the future, the workshop location will alternate between DRI's Reno campus and Salt Lake City.

Presentations will address issues on operational meteorology relevant to both the western and eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and other regions in the west whose weather is affected by the Sierra Nevada. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to hydrometeorology, streamflow forecasting, orographic precipitation, frontal modification by orography, upslope and downslope winds, fire weather, road weather, snow and avalanche studies, hydrologic cycle and local forecast problems.