Laserfiche WebLink
<br />CCOP! analyses fall into two general categories: (1) testing hypotheses <br />and (2) case studies. Thorough and detailed analyses of the comprehensive <br />data sets will take 3 to 4 years. The analysis is expected to lead toward <br />additional CCOP! field projects. Initial plans call for a second field season <br />in Montana in 1984 with the possibility of ll10unting a 1987 or 1988 field <br />effort in another location. <br /> <br />(2) Cumulus Dynamics and Microphysics Program. CDME' was designed <br />expressly to address the physical uncertainties that were confronted in the <br />Florida Area Cumulus Experiment (FACE) and to establish a sound physical <br />foundation for the concept of seeding for dynamic effects. FACE was built on <br />the hypothesis that rapid glaciation of a convective cloud in its early growth <br />stages would enhance the development and growth of a cloud and ultimately <br />increase area precipitation. The first phase of this effort (FACE-l) <br />indicated that seeding had resulted in increased rainfall. The second phase <br />(FACE-2) was designed to confirm these indications. However, proof that the <br />hypothesized physical alterations leading to increased rainfall actually took <br />place is still lacking. This has two serious ramifications. First, lack of <br />this evidence compromises the credibility of the FACE statistical rainfall <br />results and second, it makes the transfer of the FACE results to other regions <br />a precarious venture. , As a first step, CDM? will attempt to provide be,tter <br />means to assess the FACE results by investigating the physical links in the <br />FACE hypothesis, from the introduction of an ice nucleant into the cloud to <br />rainfall on the ground. <br /> <br />The long-term objective of the CDMP is to understand interactions between <br />cloud development (microphysical and dynamical processes) and environmental <br />forcing, with a view toward understanding how such interactions can be <br />modified to influence the evolution of convective systems. In particular, <br />CDMP is designed to study mass circulation response to glaciation processes <br />near the upper level of the convective element and interactions among <br />neighboring cumulus towers. This research should lead to better methods of <br />forecasting the occurrence and extent of heavy convective precipitation and <br />related phenomena. <br /> <br />CDME' is design~d to permit studies on ~~o scales"defined as the cloud <br />scale (about 100 km-) and the mesoscale (about 1000 km-). The convective <br />activity at any given time on any given day determines the sca~e of motion of <br />primary interest for study. <br /> <br />The objectives of cloud-scale research include (1) identifying the <br />meteorological factors that distinguish a successful seeding from an <br />unsuccessful one, (2) defining the mechanism for and manner in which the <br />buoyancy pulse high in the cloud is communicated to cloud base, and <br />(3) verifying the importance or the w.ater-ice conversion process on subsequent <br />cloud development. <br /> <br />CD~2 should provide numerous case studies of isolated clouds throughout <br />their lifetimes. Clouds will be seeded to induce massive glaciation on a <br />selected case study basis in an attempt to verify the importance or the water- <br />ice conversion process on subsequent cloud development. <br /> <br />- 34 - <br />