Laserfiche WebLink
<br />synoptic sampling over large areas feasible. Establishing the variability of <br />such quantities as droplet concentrations, scales and intensities or updrafts <br />and downdrafts in clouds, turbulence spectra, ice-water ratios, and ice <br />concentrations would be a major step toward understanding the variability of <br />precipitation efficiency. NOAAI s WP-3 aircraft are well suited because of <br />endurance and instrumentation. Research aircraft operated by NCAR, the <br />universities, and other Federal agencies could also be used. Coordinated <br />simultaneous sampling in different parts of the count%Y will be attempted in <br />order to better understand synoptic differences due to air mass origins and <br />large-scale weather features. <br /> <br />Research in future years will build on findings from the first year's <br />work. Field measurement programs will be designed to satisfy existing <br />requirements for continuous and accurate cloud and precipitation data and new <br />requirements generated through investigations covered under the ice crystal <br />processes program. The possibility of conducting field research as an add-on <br />to existing programs will be carefully considered. <br /> <br />3. Priorities <br /> <br />Of the ~o future program options, first priority is assigned to the Ice <br />Crystal Processes Program because of the continuing key role of modification <br />of the ice process in weather modification. Second in priority is the <br />Geographic Variability of Precipitation Efficiency Program. This is a long- <br />term program which should begin early in the five-year planning period and <br />Which may expand or contract (decelerate or accelerate) according to available <br />resources. This program is important for identifying geographical and <br />seasonal patterns or cloud types and will be crucial in assessing <br />transferability of weather modification technology. <br /> <br />4. Organizational Responsibilities <br /> <br />Since fundamental weather modification research covers a broad range of <br />basic scientific studies, both in the atmospheric sciences and in a number of <br />related fields, no single Federal research program can assume full <br />responsibility for this research activity. The National Science Foundation <br />provides a broad base of support for research on scientific problems relevant <br />to TNeather modification. The NSF Experimental ~eteorology and Weather <br />~odification Program will continue its research support to individual <br />scientists and small, groups with the further responsibility of fostering <br />education and training to develop new scientific talent in the field. The <br />program supports fundamental research and exploratory studies in the <br />atmospheric sciences and fills gaps be~Neen major programs. Other ~SF <br />programs will respond to opportunities to conduct research in inter- <br />disciplinary areas and research on major societal problems. ~SF. through <br />~CAR, <...ill continue its research and ex?erimentation on fundamental <br />understanding of convective storms and continue i~s facility support to <br />weather modification related resear~~ projects. The ~CAR program of testing <br />and developing instrumentation related to cloud and precipitation measurements <br />should ,e encouraged. <br /> <br />- 41 - <br />