Weekly Talk by Tom Dang, National Weather Service Tucson - Increasing Tucson Flash Flood Understanding: A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Collaboration with the National Weather Service

Available in-person and via zoom (see email for link)

Abstract

Authentic research experiences are among the most transformative opportunities available to undergraduate earth and environmental science students, building critical thinking, scientific literacy, and professional identity. Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) democratize access to these opportunities by embedding authentic, curriculum-appropriate research projects directly into existing courses.

Since 2023, the National Weather Service (NWS) Tucson office has partnered with the University of Arizona to provide research questions for a CURE embedded in HWRS 350 Principles of Hydrology. In 2025, NWS and HAS collaborated with Pima County Flood Control to analyze subhourly rainfall data from dozens of rain gages dating back to the 1990s. In this presentation, we will share the results of this analysis and how it is has directly impacted NWS warning operations and thresholds.

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Email: tom.dang@noaa.gov