NSSL scientists direct research aircraft in Europe's Mesoscale Alpine Project

NSSL scientists are involved in the largest weather research project ever conducted in Europe. The Mesoscale Alpine Project (MAP) is an effort of researchers from 11 countries to study the effects of winds and precipitation on weather over the Alps. Data were collected during September, October and November 1999 during "wet-MAP" and "dry-MAP" activities. Wet-MAP examined how wind flowing over the mountains affects precipitation and flooding. Dry-MAP investigated how mountains produce clear-air turbulence and damaging surface winds. NSSL scientists provided expertise in the design and execution of flight plans involving multiple research aircraft.

P-3 research aircraft at MAP headquarters at Innsbruck, Austria. Photo by Dave Jorgensen

Doppler on Wheels in the field near Lodrino, Switzerland. Photo by Scott Richardson

Additionally, in cooperation with researchers from the University of Oklahoma and Princeton University, NSSL scientists directed the use of the portable DOW ("Doppler On Wheels") radar unit. The DOW, previously known mainly for its close-up studies of winds within tornadoes, provided direct measurement of precipitation intensity and winds within several Alpine valleys that were too deep to be well-sampled by radar-bearing aircraft flying overhead.