The global food system depends on reliable transportation, plentiful water supplies, favorable weather, and labor, to name only a few of the essentials.

Aviation safety has improved dramatically since RAL’s discovery of low-level wind shear, once responsible for hundreds of airplane fatalities. Our research engineered ways to detect and convey this hazardous phenomenon, as well as develop training materials instructing pilots when to steer clear. But our aviation safety work wasn’t finished.

Hurricanes and extreme precipitation events can devastate lives and property. Dramatic storm surge and flash flooding caused by these events sustain the assault long after the weather moves out. But successfully communicating the risks of storm surge risk to the public, although crucial for preventing more loss of life and property damage, is tricky.

It is no surprise that heavy air pollution causes lasting health damage. Highly toxic air levels can be as dangerous to humans as the effects of heavy smoking. Our scientists have developed an air-quality forecasting system that alerts residents of New Delhi about poor air quality days.

Atmospheric releases of hazardous materials, either accidental or intentional, pose a viable threat to both United States citizens, as well as to citizens and troops abroad.  To counter this threat, RAL is actively researching and developing novel techniques and systems that can more accurately simulate the atmospheric state and evolution of the released material in both time and space.

Broadening the options for alternative energy sources is essential for the global community to maintain robust, cost-effective, and reliable power grids. Public and private utility managers use our forecasting tools to efficiently and economically incorporate solar and wind power into their energy portfolios. The research strides we’ve made help predict solar and wind events.

Adverse weather causes countless traffic fatalities as well as innumerable hours lost to traffic congestion. Delays caused by snow, rain, ice, wind, and fog cost time and money to commuters, businesses, and delivery systems. The Pikalert® MAW provides hyper-local, near real-time road weather information for the traveling public.