Dr. Stephen Zebiak is a Senior Research Scientist and Director of Modeling and Prediction Research at the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI) in Palisades, New York. His research has focused on the dynamics of climate from seasonal to decadal time scales, and he is best known for his work in the development of the first numerical models to study and predict El Niño. E-mail: steve@iri.ldgo.columbia.edu

Chester F. Ropelewski is an atmospheric scientist and Director of Climate Monitoring and Dissemination at the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI) in Palisades, New York. His work is focused on the description and understanding of interannual rainfall and temperature variability, including those associated with El Niño. Much of his current effort is in developing climate information and products for practical use by non-specialists. E-mail: chet@iri.ldgo.columbia.edu

Prof. Edward S. Sarachik is an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle. His research interests are climate variability and particularly El Niño/Southern Oscillation, climate predictability, the role of the ocean in climate, and the applications of climate information. He is a member of the advisory committee for the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction, and serves on a number of climate-related advisory committees for the National Research Council. E-Mail: sarachik@atmos.washington.edu