摘要:

The first duty of each special associate editor for the quadrennial U.S. National Report to IUGG is to identify the topics that ought to be included, a task that is intellectually challenging, but not labor intensive. The second, more difficult, principal task is to solicit, and if necessary, cajole individual authors to undertake review papers. The objective is a report on U.S. research during the last four years that is within reasonable page limitations, comprehensive, neither redundant nor duplicative of other recent reviews, and yet representative. Whether a particular topic appears in the report depends on the biases and persuasiveness of the special associate editor, coverage or lack of coverage of topics in other forums, and willingness of someone to undertake a paper for the report. It should be clear that the absence of a topic in this report, whether explicitly covered in previous US National Reports to the IUGG or not, does not signify a judgement by the editors that the topic lacks merit.

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00309

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

A variety of analysis and forecast systems have been used routinely over the years to produce numerical weather predictions (NWP) for daily use. The Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit of the United States was the first operational organization established in 1955. Since then, a large number of NWP centers have evolved in the industralized nations of the world. Today their predictions serve as the primary guidance for practicing synopticians for the forecast period from about 12 hours out to 10 days.

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00312

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

American contributions to Atmospheric Dynamics during the period 1983–86 are briefly summarize

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00323

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The past four years have witnessed substantial research on mesoscale and severe thunderstorm phenomena. The reasons for rapidly expanding activities in both areas are quite clear. Severe thunderstorms and intense mesoscale weather phenomena account for much of the dangerous and economically disruptive weather that occurs in the United States each year [for example, recent severe, tornadic, and damaging weather events are documented in Ferguson et al., 1983, 1985, and 1986; Rogers et al., 1983 and 1985]. Further, rapid advancements in technology indicate that increasing amounts of information on mesoscale phenomena will steadily become available for study.

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00329

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Research in cloud and precipitation physics has traditionally emphasized microphysical scales of particle growth and interactions as is evident by the first modern treatises on the subject [Mason, 1957; Fletcher, 1962; Borovikovet al., 1963; Byers, 1965]. Our understanding of cloud microphysics has steadily progressed, although, as pointed out in the most recent text, “many microphysical mechanisms are not understood in quantitative detail” [Pruppacher and Klett, 1980]. It is now evident that the solution to many of the outstanding problems in atmospheric science will require an understanding of processes within the scope of cloud and precipitation physics. These include the traditional subjects of precipitation forecasting and weather modification, and the more recent problems of acid rain, nuclear “winter” and cloud‐radiative processes important to clima

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00357

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The family of atmospheric columnar vortices includes tornadoes, waterspouts, firewhirls, dust devils and a variety of other whirlwinds. Each member of the family is characterized by the presence of a relatively tall, concentrated vortical core. Descriptions of such swirling flows are inherently complex, reflecting the presence of a multiplicity of length and velocity scales. In many cases, the flow is both three‐dimensional and unstead

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00371

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The atmospheric boundary layer comprises the lower portion of the atmosphere that is dynamically or thermodynamically affected by the presence of and interactions with the underlying surface. The momentum, heat, water vapor and species exchanges at the surface have important effects on the boundary layer and a large portion of man's activities. The height of the boundary layer can range from only several tens of meters in extreme inversion situations, to many kilometers. Boundary‐layer sub‐specialties are often divided along the lines of the nature of the underlying surface: ocean (air‐sea interaction), ice, smooth terrain, urban, vegetation of significant height (canopies) and large‐scale features such as hills and

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00387

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Current work on meteorological instrumentation and observing systems is summarized.In situsensing, aircraft instrumentation, remote sensing systems, and tropospheric sounding techniques are discussed specifically. The primary focus is on the state of the art in the United States, but some attention is also given to work in other countries.

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00393

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The field of radar meteorology continues to mature and blossom. Keeping it alive and well, however, will require a vigorous commitment to new technology and to the nurturing of new talent.

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00403

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The significance of the meteorological applications of lightning data is that in recent years we have acquired the technology to use the observations of lightning in many areas of operational meteorology. Consider the past for a moment. In the 1940's, we began to observe the characteristics of cloud systems with radar; in the 1960's, we observed them with satellites in the visible and infrared wavelengths; and in the 1970's and 1980's, we developed the techniques to monitor lightning activity from satellites and to detect the lightning to ground from cloud systems using ground based lightning detection networks. The combination of radar, satellite, and lightning observations of weather systems has opened a new area of applied meteorology that is attracting the interest of both the research and the operational meteorologist.

ISSN:8755-1209    

DOI:10.1029/RG025i003p00411

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY