Partnering to help Gulf Coast communities prepare for severe weather.

Over the last year, researchers at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) and Louisiana State University (LSU) partnered on a project to enhance disaster preparedness, mitigation, and resilience to weather hazards in the Gulf Coast – an area that is vulnerable to multiple types of severe weather including hurricanes, flooding, and extreme heat. 

Wind is the driving force behind many damaging weather phenomena. It can fan the flames of wildfires, topple trees onto powerlines, and cause dangerous conditions for aircraft during takeoffs and landings. NSF NCAR researchers are working on a major new project to predict these small-scale wind events that have major impacts on society.

Scientists have determined how the fertile fields and shallow groundwater of the U.S. Corn Belt fuel powerful thunderstorms.

The latest software’s speed and efficiency allow for broader application of large-eddy simulations.

Covering the contiguous United States, the new Domestic Aviation Forecast System (DAFS) generates more detailed forecasts of evolving icing and turbulence risks, giving pilots real-time intelligence about changing weather conditions along their flight path. NSF NCAR researchers led the scientific development of the icing and turbulence capabilities for this system.

The WRF-Hydro® team, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), has completed a comprehensive retrospective analysis of water availability across the contiguous United States.

High-resolution Urban Meteorology for Impacts Dataset

NSF NCAR is continuing to improve targeted forecasts of weather impacts on roads and runways