Directorate

• Contents
• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• 1. SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM
• 2. IMPROVING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EARTH-SYSTEM PROCESSES
• 2.1 Scale Interactions Associated with Precipitating Convective Systems
• 2.2 Understanding the Dynamics and Predictability of Weather Systems on Time Scales of 0-48 h
• 2.3 Fundamental Research on Precipitation Processes, with an Emphasis on their Improved Representation in Numerical Models
• 2.4 Understanding the Dynamics, Physics and Chemistry of Multi-Scale Atmospheric Chemical Constituent and Particulate Transport, Dispersion and Transformations
• 2.5 Fundamental Research in Boundary Layers and their Interfacial Interactions
• 3. ADVANCING THE SCIENCE OF ATMOSPHERIC PREDICTION
• 3.1 Advancing Short-Range Weather Prediction
• 3.2Advancing Data Assimilation Research
• 3.3 Improving Forecasting of Pollutants and Hazardous Materials
• 4. ADVANCED COMMUNITY RESEARCH TOOLS
• 4.1 WRF Community Model
• 4.2 Community Data Assimilation Techniques
• 4.3 Nested Community Climate Model
• 5. SUMMARY
• Acronym List
• Print Version
• Download Printable PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mesoscale & Microscale Meteorology Division Science Plan:

Executive Summary

This Science Plan for MMM describes what the Division intends to accomplish during the next five years, together with the rationale for the choice of topics. Our overarching theme is:
Mesoscale and Microscale Earth-System Science Research aimed at:

• Improving our understanding of earth-system processes;
• Advancing the science of atmospheric prediction to enhance societal benefit; and,
• Development and refinement of advanced, state-of-the-science research tools (including models, instrumentation and data sets) and provision of these as a service to the community.

The specific goals within this broad theme are evolutionary in nature. They take into account the Division’s existing expertise, external collaborations and infrastructure, together with external drivers, such as computing developments and community-wide programs. We recognize that additional expertise may be needed to fully implement our plans and we shall be seeking to develop this expertise as a high priority, especially by expansion of our current collaborations with other ESSL and NCAR divisions and laboratories, the university community, government laboratories, and international organizations.

Within this broad theme, we are pursuing leading-edge research in Scale Interactions, Dynamics and Prediction, Precipitation Processes, Atmospheric Chemistry and Boundary Layers. As shown in the following matrix, these research activities couple into our applications work on Weather Prediction out to 48 hours, Data Assimilation and Air Quality. These, in turn, support our facilities and services, which has traditionally been focused on the MM5 and WRF Model, but will now expand into Data Assimilation and a Nested Regional Climate Model. All areas will contribute to our leading-edge science and publications output. We also see great benefit in the two-way flow of ideas between these three areas.

The scope of the Science Plan and our detailed goals are presented in the following sections. We are optimistic and excited about the prospects of achieving these research goals, and of the societal and economic benefits that will be realized when the research results are applied. Details of our progress will be provided in our Annual Scientific Reports. Research highlights are also provided on the web site at http://box.mmm.ucar.edu/index.php.

Next section: SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM

 

 

 

 

 

 

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