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<br />a. Presentlv A~nroved Programs <br /> <br />Of the three programs of fundamental, widely applicable research <br />authorized for implementation during the FY 1982-86 period, the NCAR <br />Convective Storms Research and CDMP are directed toward clearly defined <br />goals. The Small Projects Research Progr~ responds to innovative research <br />opportunities and fills gaps between other major research progr~s. <br /> <br />(1) NCAR Convective Storms Research. Convective storms research at NCAR <br />is a continuation of studies begun in the National Hail Research Experiment. <br />These studies employ multiple in situ and remote probes in a coordinated <br />manner, wi th the eventual goal of improving predictions of the nature and <br />amount of precipitation produced by convective clouds. The program includes <br />large-scale field projects designed to gather comprehensive and coordinated <br />data sets, together with 3-dimensional numerical modeling ,of the dynamical and <br />microphysical aspects of convective clouds. The goal of this work is to <br />compare IIIOdel outputs with the behavior of real storms on which adequate and <br />reliable measurements have been made. During the 1981-1984 period, research <br />in this program will focus on participation in the Cooperative Convective <br />Precipitation Experiment (CCOPE), a major interagency cooperative project. <br /> <br />CCOPE is a cooperative field progr~ to take extensive coordinated <br />measureme.nts in convective clouds and storms. It will be conducted in 1981 at <br />the Water and Power Resources Service (WPRS) HIPLEX research site near Miles <br />City, Montana, using the RIFLEX staff, facilities, and data base at that <br />site. Additional facilities and expertise will be provided by NCAR and <br />NOAA. The NCAR Atmospheric Technology Division (ATD) will provide aircraft, <br />radars, and an automated surface network,and the NCAR Convective Storms <br />Division (CSD) will participate in the field work. Opportunities for non- <br />Federal scientists will be provided by the National Science Foundation. In <br />addition, NOAA will conduct the preliminary studies in its Cumulus Dynamics <br />and Microphysics Progr~ (CDMP, discussed later in this section) in <br />conjunction with CCOPE in 1981 and will provide both radar and scientific <br />support. Two Canadian government agencies, the Department of Transport and <br />the Atmospheric Environment Service, will also participate using instrumented <br />aircraft and a scientific team. <br /> <br />This concentration of field facilities will provide comprehensive data <br />sets for elucidating how microphysical processes and air motions interact in <br />the formation and davelopment of precipitation. CCOPE is designed to answer <br />some fundamental questions that stand in the way of evaluating the potential <br />of weather modification techniques and predicting precipitation and severe <br />weather more accurately. The primary emphasis will be on interactions <br />occurring within the storms and betleen the storms and their immediate <br />environment. Some specific scientific issues to be addressed are: <br /> <br />o The origin of ice: nucleation and secondary production. <br /> <br />o Mechanisms of entrainment: the origin of entrained air and or <br />downdrafts. <br /> <br />- 32 - <br />