Research: Observatories and Field Programs
Observatories
Atmospheric Baseline Observatories
The Atmospheric Baseline Observatories exist to conduct long-term
measurements of atmospheric gases, aerosol particles and solar radiation
to provide the basis for assessing the prospects of change in the
global climate and health of the atmosphere.
Arctic Atmospheric Observatories
The Arctic Atmospheric Observatory program is establishing long-term intensive
measurements of clouds, radiation, aerosols, surface energy fluxes and
chemistry in three different Arctic climate regimes. These measurements
will be used to determine the mechanisms that drive climate change through
a combination of process studies, satellite validation and modeling studies.
Observational Networks
Boundary Layer Profiler Network
A seasonally-deployed, research network of boundary layer profilers which makes regional
observations of high resolution atmospheric winds and temperatures to
improve the understanding of factors impacting regional weather and air quality forecasting.
Surface Radiation Budget Network (SURFRAD)
SURFRAD's primary objective is to support climate research with accurate,
continuous, long-term measurements of the surface radiation budget over the
United States.
Seven stations operate in climatologically diverse regions of Montana,
Colorado, Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Nevada and South Dakota.
Observations from SURFRAD are used for evaluating satellite-based estimates
of surface radiation, and for validating hydrologic, weather prediction, and
climate models.
Current Field Programs
Aerosol, Radiation, and Cloud Processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARCPAC)
During the International Polar Year of 2008, NOAA will engage in a
field campaign targeted at improving understanding of shorter-lived climate
forcing processes which may be contributing to the decrease in
seasonal Arctic sea ice coverage and thickness.
This effort will be focused on direct measurements of properties and
processes to reduce uncertainty in radiation and climate models.
Measurements will be made in the Alaskan Arctic to closely coordinate
with remote sensing and in situ observations planned for aircraft and ground sites in the vicinity of Barrow, Alaska.
Hydrometeorological Testbed (HMT) 2008
HMT demonstrates the use of advanced observational and modeling
tools on quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) and
quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF) to improve hydrological
forecasts and warnings. HMT 2008 returns to the American River Basin
where high resolution observations will be incorporated with
operational products to improve forecasts in this high flood risk area.