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.
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