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Mission...
The scientists of the Mesoscale Applications Group (MAG)
provide basic and applied research in support of hazardous weather forecasting,
in particular the National Weather Service Storm
Prediction Center (SPC).
MAG staff carry out research on topics that cover the entire range of the weather forecasting problem, from collecting and interpreting observations to understanding how the atmosphere works to applying that understanding to forecast problems to understanding the impacts of weather and forecasts on users. Those four broad themes can be loosely described as:
Climatology
Climatology involves the study of the distribution of weather events in time and space. MAG scientists study severe thunderstorms and non-severe weather events in order to gain insight into hazardous weather.
- Severe thunderstorms
- Non-thunderstorm weather
- Reanalysis project
- PAC-SONET
Weather Processes
After understanding the climatology of past weather events, the next step is to understand the relevant processes that create the weather. MAG researchers are examining a variety of different phenomena to better understand how the atmosphere works.
- Cold fronts
- Derechos
- Tornadoes associated with hurricanes
Forecast Applications
MAG scientists apply their expertise to developing and testing new applications and forecast tools that will improve operational forecasts, such as predicting mesoscale convective complexes, and looking for ways to incorporate high-resolution radar observations into computer models
- Hazardous Weather Testbed
- Numerical models
- Snow density
Impacts and Evaluation
NSSL scientists recognize the importance of understanding how weather impacts the public and how forecasts can provide benefits. Research topics include identifying the effects of the weather, measuring the impacts of forecasts, and providing information that can help inform policy makers in their decision-making processes.
- Deaths and damage from severe weather
- Tornado warnings
- Forecast evaluation
- Public policy
MAG staff provide information to others in a variety of ways. Forecasting experiments are an important part of understanding the forecast problem and communicating with full-time forecasters. As professional scientists, MAG staff have published over 100 papers in the formal scientific literature since 1996. Many members of the MAG are national and international experts in their fields of study and, as a result, frequently make presentations to the scientific community and general public in the US and around the world. In addition, information for other researchers, the media, and the general public is made available on the World-Wide Web.
