Laserfiche WebLink
<br />the days). Moisture and stability were the most useful variables in this <br />forecast. The dynamic parameters (vorticity. convergence, vertical motion. <br />and moisture convergence) were not good indicators. The low-level moisture <br />advection (from the south) across the Del Rio-Victoria leg of the triangle <br />was the best of the dynamic parameters. <br /> <br />Or. Dennis Driscoll of Texas A&M University described his studies of the <br />radar-echo climatology of the Edwards Plateau area, using data from the <br />National Weather Service WSR-57 radar at Hondo. The techniques are similar <br />to those used in earlier studies for Amarillo and Midland. The study documents <br />the time variations of echos (diurnal. annual, and running means), the areas <br />of initial echo occurrence. durations for growth to B-km diameter and to <br />maximum size, and the speed and direction of echo movement. The results of <br />this effort will provide background information for weather modification <br />planning. for determining the efficacy of seeding. dnd for hydrology and <br />streamflow investigations. The analysis technique. however. is tedious and <br />time consuming, and the large number of aircraft echoes in the study area <br />sometimes made analyses difficult. <br /> <br />In his second presentation, Mr. Kantrowitz explained the institutional <br />studies being undertaken by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental <br />Relations. These studies include consideration of the governmental frameworks <br />of State. county, municipal. and special district entities involved in water <br />resources in Texas, with special emphasis placed on the Edwards Plateau area. <br />Aspects of Texas law pertaining to weather modification were discussed, <br />inclUding water rights and liability. He mentioned that drought does not fit <br />neatly into Texas disaster planning because droughts have no clearly recognizable <br />beginning. and they end with natural events (precipitation). The commission <br />examined citizen participation and encountered special-interest groups that <br />have pronounced effects on the approval of weather modification activities. <br />Other issues discussed were funding, drought assessment, economic issues. <br />implementation authority, insurance, and risk management. <br /> <br />12 <br />