Evaluation Experiment Design
The experiment design is under peer review by scientists within the weather modification community. Statistical considerations and WRF modeling coupled with SCIPUFF modeling of case studies are being used in this part of the process.
WRF Modeling
The Weather Research and Forecast modeling system, developed at NCAR, is being used to perform high resolution (down to 1 km) simulations of the meteorological conditions over the target areas. A simple algorithm for activation of ice by cloud seeding material has been added to the system. This will allow for investigation of immediate impacts as well as extra area affects caused by seeding. More on WRF>
SCIPUFF Modeling
The Second-Order Closure Integrated Puff model is used by other research groups within NCAR/RAL and has been used for helping refine the proposed generator and target locations. Thsi model is driven by the meteorological conditions simulated in WRF and will be used to also help develop operational criteria. More on SCIPUFF >
Instrumentation
Intense Observation Periods (2006)
The first of two intense observations periods concluded on 13 February, 2006. The second IOP is scheduled for 10 March - 31 March 2006. However, the aircraft will be continuing to sample the cloud microphysics and atmospheric aerosol properties on selected days during the interim. This will help in the understanding of the natural processes that are occuring and how they may be modified to increase snowfall. The first IOP occurred concurrently with a field campaign scheduled for the the University of Wyoming King Air. The University of Wyoming was looking at precipitation development in winter time orographic clouds during this period and the WMI aircraft will work in tandem with the UW King Air to augment the cloud microphysical and aerosol measurements.
Radiometer
A WVR-1100 Total Integrated Water Vapor and Liquid Water Radiometer has been will be used through out the project for helping identify regions of supercooled liquid water in the clouds. During the first part of January, this instrument has been deployed at the University of Wyoming Department of Atmospheric Science Stratospheric Balloon Facility in Laramie, Wyoming for testing and training of staff prior to the intense observation periods scheduled for 2006. Photos of installation: Tripod Set-up, Mounting the instrument, After installation. Video of Radiometer rotating azimuthally (2.3 MB file). It was then moved to the Saratoga Valley (between the Sierra Madre and Medicine Bow ranges) to observe the water vapor and liquid water paths over these two ranges. Photos of Saratoga installation: View looking east at Medicine Bows, View looking west at Sierra Madres.
Additionally, a WVR-1500 vertically pointing radiometer has been positioned in the Medicine Bow range at the USDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station - Glacier Lakes Ecosystem Experiment Site (GLEES). This radiometer is owned by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota and loaned to NCAR to support aircraft observations made during this winter. Photos of the GLEES installation.
Read more about radiometers from the Radiometrics, Inc. site
Aircraft
A Piper Cheyenne II aircraft instrumented with flare racks for seeding (when approved) and cloud microphysical instrumentation will be used for both seeding operations and research flights.
Read more about seeding aircraft on the WMI website.
Read more about research instrumentation on the WMI website.