Themes Overview
Basic Convective and Mesoscale Research
The primary goals of this original CIMMS thematic area are to understand cloud and mesoscale dynamics, microphysics and the precipitation process and their relationships to large and small scale forcing, and to develop procedures for assimilation of meteorological data into simulation and prediction models of these processes. The work done here represents a fundamental building block for eventual applied techniques.
Forecast Improvements
The primary goal of this original thematic area is to accelerate the transfer of research knowledge and skills between the academic and NOAA operational mesoscale meteorological communities to both improve the design and utilization of mesoscale weather observing systems and improve mesoscale weather prediction and warning.
Climatic Effects of/Controls on Mesoscale Processes
The primary goal of this thematic area is to extend and apply the understanding of mesoscale processes to the problem of climate maintenance and change. This theme also includes investigation of the influence of the large-scale climatic environment on the mesoscale systems that produce growing season rainfall in regions such as central North America and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Socioeconomic Impacts of Mesoscale Weather Systems and Regional Scale Climate Variations
The primary goal of this thematic area is to estimate the socioeconomic impacts and values of mesoscale weather systems and regional-scale climate variations in central and eastern North America and across the world, to facilitate the mitigation (enhancement) of the adverse (beneficial) impacts. A continuing component of this work makes extensive use of climate scenarios and economic models, and is performed in collaboration with agricultural economists and social scientists. It is also complemented by a research thrust that is addressing a spectrum of weather- and climate-related disaster issues.
Doppler Weather Radar Research and Development
The primary goal of this thematic area is to accelerate the transfer of knowledge between the meteorological and engineering communities (in academia, and government and private laboratories) to improve the design, usability, and supportability of the NEXRAD WSR-88D Doppler weather radar. Continual enhancements are needed to the system for improving the quality, format, accuracy, resolution, and update rate of the base data, and to keep pace with evolving hardware and software technologies. This work introduces, examines, and analyzes present and future technologies, including phased-array technology, with the goal of meeting the unfulfilled radar needs. This theme also includes a fertile research area for development and improvement of radar algorithms used for forecasting and warning.
Climate Change Monitoring and Detection
The goal of this research theme is to study climate change monitoring and detection in general, and specifically the homogeneity or lack thereof of the historical station records in the U.S. and to use this information to help address the climate change questions.
Proposed research through 2011
Research Plan (All Themes) [PDF] 