More than 120 scientists, engineers, administrators, and users met on 8–10 December 2003 in a workshop format to discuss the needs for enhanced three-dimensional mesoscale observing networks. Improved networks are seen as being critical to advancing numerical and empirical modeling for a variety of mesoscale applications, including severe weather warnings and forecasts, hydrology, air-quality forecasting, chemical emergency response, transportation safety, energy management, and others. The participants shared a clear and common vision for the observing requirements: existing two-dimensional mesoscale measurement networks do not provide observations of the type, frequency, and density that are required to optimize mesoscale prediction and nowcasts. To be viable, mesoscale observing networks must serve multiple applications, and the public, private, and academic sectors must all actively participate in their design and implementation, as well as in the creation and delivery of value-added products. The mesoscale measurement challenge can best be met by an integrated approach that considers all elements of an end-to-end solution—identifying end users and their needs, designing an optimal mix of observations, defining the balance between static and dynamic (targeted or adaptive) sampling strategies, establishing long-term test beds, and developing effective implementation strategies. Detailed recommendations are provided pertaining to nowcasting, numerical prediction and data assimilation, test beds, and implementation strategies.
Multifunctional Mesoscale Observing Networks
Authors:
Walter F. Dabberdt AffiliationsVaisala, Inc., Boulder, Colorado Thomas W. Schlatter Affiliations
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Oceanic and Atmospheric Research/Forecast Systems Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado Frederick H. Carr and Elbert W. Joe Friday Affiliations
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma David Jorgensen Affiliations
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Oceanic and Atmospheric Research/National Severe Storms Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado Steven Koch Affiliations
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Oceanic and Atmospheric Research/Forecast Systems Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado Maria Pirone Affiliations
Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., Lexington, Massachusetts F. Martin Ralph Affiliations
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Oceanic and Atmospheric Research/Environmental Technology Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado Juanzhen Sun Affiliations
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado Patrick Welsh Affiliations
NOAA/National Weather Service, Jacksonville, Florida James W. Wilson Affiliations
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado Xiaolei Zou Affiliations
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
Published Online: 1 July 2005
July 2005
