Hydrometeorological Applications Program (HAP)
- About HAP
- HAP Projects
- HAP Research
- HAP Technology
- Contacts
Providing relevant information to water resource decision makers
The main goal of the Hydrometeorological Applications Program is to provide relevant information to high-impact weather, flood warning, and water resource decision makers through directed and basic research and development in hydrometeorology, aerosol-precipitation interactions, very short term precipitation nowcasting, cloud microphysical modeling, and winter weather.
Applications focused on water resources, flood warnings and control, winter weather precipitation events, and weather modification are growing at a rapid rate. Earth’s water supply, when considered on a regional basis, may not be sustainable relative to agricultural and industrial practices of the last century. RAL is motivated to building this research area to meet the needs of national (federal, state, county and municipal) and international organizations in the public and private sectors and to make a significant contribution to the science of hydrometeorology.
Hydrometeorological Applications Projects
Precipitation EnhancementMexico | Augmentation of Rainfall in Coahuila (PARC)
Puglia, Italy | Precipitation Enhancement
Saudi Arabia | Assessment of Rainfall Augmentation
Southeast Queensland | Cloud Seeding Research Project
United Arab Emirates | Feasibility Study
West Africa | Monsoon and Rainfall Enhancement
Wyoming | Weather Modification Pilot Project
Water Resources
Water Cycle Across Scales
HAP Research
HAP Technology
Primary Contacts
- RASMUSSEN, Roy: | HAP DIRECTOR | ph: 8430 | email: rasmus
- DIXON, Michael | HAP DEPUTY DIRECTOR | ph: 8440 | email: dixon
- STEINER, Matthias: | HAP DEPUTY DIRECTOR | ph: 2720 | email: msteiner
HAP's Focus Areas
Short term convective storm forecasting
Convective storms pose a threat to human safety, transportation, and infrastructure.
Aerosols and precipitation enhancement
There is growing evidence that human activities (e.g. anthropogenic aerosols) can potentially alter atmospheric processes such as the hydrological cycle on scales ranging from local precipitation patterns to global climate.
Hydrometeorological processes at the land surface
Our objectives are to understand, through theoretical and observational studies, the complex interactions (including biophysical, hydrological, and biogeochemical interactions) between the land-surface and the atmosphere at micro- and meso-scales.
Cloud Microphysics
The formation of precipitation in models is integrally tied to the proper modeling of the formation of cloud drops, rain, ice, snow and graupel.
Winter storms and snowpack
Winter precipitation is a primary source of water in the Western U.S. through snowpack in the mountains. It is also a major issue for safe aircraft operations at airports, requiring aircraft ground deicing.
Precipitation Enhancement - Puglia, Italy
The continuing water shortage around Puglia, Italy has prompted the authorities to once again explore the possibility of enhancing precipitation via cloud seeding. Read more.