Priority 1: Enabling Innovative Field Experiments and Measurement Campaigns
FY 2006 Accomplishments
The accuracy, robustness, and performance of weather, climate, and chemistry models depend on sound theory and accurate measurements. NCAR leadership in the area of field program planning and implementation is a critical service NCAR leadership in the area of field program planning and implementation is a critical service to the community. to the community, and we are proud of our achievements in this area. The Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL) maintains a large suite of NSF-funded state-of-the-art Lower Atmospheric Observing Facilities to collect data that will advance understanding of atmospheric and Earth processes in support of community research.
Maintaining flexibility and responsiveness, NCAR serves as the coordination point for scientific field campaigns, offering services ranging from advice and consultation during the initial stages of planning to field design and project implementation plans, tailored and specialized logistics support, the fielding, operation, and maintenance of scientific instrumentation, real-time data communication, organizational and operational management, and the coordination of educational activities.
Field programs in 2006 explored the conditions of hurricane-spawning storms in western Africa (T-AMMA), studied mountain waves and rotors that can have a devastating effect on aircraft (T-Rex), examined chemical and physical transformation of air pollutants and their impact on regional and global air quality, climate, and ecosystems (MILAGRO/MIRAGE), and tested new strategies in tracking atmospheric moisture that can help meteorologists improve their prediction of often-devastating thunderstorms (REFRACTT). Plans were also made for a campaign that will characterize the effects of midlatitude continental convection on the transport and transformation of ozone and its precursors (DC3 Field Program).
Services included the provision of essential field staff, assistance in mission planning, coordination with aviation and military institutions, platform coordination, organization of operational and science meetings, and information dissemination and communications. Logistics support ranged from fielding personnel and equipment to handling international arrangements, permits and clearances, shipping and customs, contracts and leases, meteorological support, communications, and security and safety issues, as well as providing financial services and local staffing.
Program Plan
NCAR will lead a first-of-its-kind community-wide assessment of all existing and emerging observational facilities. The assessment will cover government agencies, universities, national laboratories, international organizations, and private companies, and include details of operation such as specifications, availability, etc. In FY 2007, NCAR will participate in the following field programs:
In FY 2007, NCAR will participate in the following field programs:
- Structure and Evolution of Diurnal Cold Air Pools and Seiches in Small Closed Basins (METCRAX)
- Inhibition of Snowfall by Pollution Aerosols (ISPA 2006)
- Canopy Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (CHATS)
- CLIvar MOde water Dynamics Experiment (CLIMODE)
- Ice In Clouds Experiment (ICE-L)
- Pacific Atmospheric Sulfur Experiment (PASE)