Abstract

The strength and number of hurricanes in the last two years has everyone's attention. New data on the 2004 and
2005 hurricane season will be presented with a discussion of whether those years are unusual or will be the norm. That will be followed by new information and thoughts onthe possible effect of climate change processes on the strength or n9mber of hurricanes.

Biography

Ban was among the first employees of The Weather Channel,joining in 1982 as an on-camera meteorologist. Mr. Ban was promoted to senior vice president of meteorological affairs and operations in 1996.Previously, he was vice president of meteorology for the all-weather network. Prior to joining The Weather Channel, Mr. Ban was employed as a senior meteorologist at Accu-Weather, Inc. trom 1973to 1982.His responsibilities included operation weather forecasting with specific focus on media customers. Mr. Ban has been an active member ofthe American Meteorological Society (AMS) for 30 years and was named a Fellow of the AMS in 1997. The 12,000-memberAMS is a professional organization which promotes the advancement of the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Mr. Ban holds both the Television Seal of Approval and Radio Seal of Approval trom the Society.

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Mr. Ban graduated trom Penn State University in 1973with a BS degree in meteorology. In 1996, he was named a Centennial FelJow of the university's ColJegeof Earth and Mineral Sciences. In 1998, he was named an Alumni FelJow of Penn State University, which recognizes the university's most outstanding alumni each year. In 2001 Mr. Ban was selected by the Natio11alAcademy of Sciences to serve on the Board of Atmospheric Science and Climate. He is also currently serving as a member ofthe Steering Committee of the United States Weather Research Program and as President of the Alumni Board of the ColJege of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State. AdditionalJy,Mr. Ban is a member of the advisory board to the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Light refreshments are served in the Interaction Area (4th floor of the Oceanography/Physics Building) at 4:00 p.m.

All seminars begin at 3:00 p.m. and are held in room 200 of the Oceanography/Physics building.