NEW MATH MAKES FOR BETTER WEATHER FORECASTS

International weather expert to give public lecture in Ottawa

Dr. Gilbert Brunet (Environment Canada)

OTTAWA, Ontario — International weather expert Dr. Gilbert Brunet will deliver a public lecture on how math makes for better weather forecasts at the University of Ottawa, Thursday March 21, 2013, at 7 p.m. in Monpetit Building, room 202. .

In Dr. Brunet’s lecture, The Mathematical Challenges of Earth-System and Weather Prediction, he discusses the ways in which new applied mathematical algorithms, high performance computing, remote sensing, and new measurement technologies have helped to drastically improve the reliability of weather prediction.

“It cannot be disputed that the demand for improved weather prediction is increasing worldwide,” said Dr. Brunet. “We are currently on the brink of major advancements to the way we observe, analyze and predict high-impact weather and climate.”

“Improved earth-system and weather prediction not only supports the protection of human life and property from catastrophic weather events, but it and also plays a role on policies regarding infrastructure, as these can be drastically affected by climate change.”

Brunet’s lecture is sponsored by the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) and the University of Ottawa Department of Mathematics and Statistics as part of the national CMS Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013 lecture series.

Dr. Brunet earned his PhD in Meteorology from the University of McGill in 1989 and has since become a recognized expert in the area of dynamical meteorology. Dr. Brunet is the Director of the Meteorological Research Division, Environment Canada, currently on secondment to the UK’s National Weather Service as Deputy Director of Weather Science.

Dr. Brunet will be available to the media on Thursday, March 21.

For more information, contact:

About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)

The CMS is the national mathematics organization whose goal is to promote the advancement, discovery, learning, and application of mathematics. The Society's activities cover the whole spectrum of mathematics including: scientific meetings, research publications, and the promotion of excellence in mathematics education at all levels.