advanced

A relatively new application area for RAL is in regional and global climate prediction. The Global Climatology Analysis Tool (GCAT) was developed for generating fine-scale (3km) climatological analyses anywhere around the globe. For a given time, 20 analyses, one for each of the past 20 years, are generated. Uncertainty on the mean analyzed meteorological fields is derived from the 20-member ensemble input into plume models, such as the DOD HPAC (Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability) application, for better risk assessment. The NCAR/RAL Climate and Weather Impact Assessment Science Initiative (CWIASI) investigates how climate and weather create both hazards and opportunities for society across multiple scales and seeks to improve the processes and methods for generating and communicating scientific knowledge to improve decision-making. Climate change and hydrology modeling and the subsequent implications for a region are proving to be valuable data for the urban planners responsible for making long- and short-term decisions. In RAL, there are many potential applications for climate prediction research, such as: homeland security, energy, fire weather, surface transportation, and agriculture. Currently, RAL is focused on the critical scientific gaps in the weather and climate in the areas that are particularly challenging for decision-makers and scientists.