Current Projects
An Observational and Real-Data Modeling Study of Mesoscale Airmasses with High-Theta-E
Funded through support from the NSF PRECIP and CLOUD-MAP awards, this work aims to examine the mechanisms by which mesoscale airmass with high theta-e form. These airmasses are unique because they are characterized by cooler temperatures but higher CAPE. The mechanisms responsible for, and environmental conditions associated with, their formation are poorly understood.
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Environments of CI
Funded by the CLOUD-MAP project this research builds on prior work led by SSRG members focused on examining the environmental conditions favorable for deep convection initiation as well as the fundamental mechanisms that control it.
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Observing System Simulation Experiments to Evaluated Targeted Observation of Supercells by UAS
Funded by an NSF National Robotics Initiative award led by Dr. Eric Frew of the Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles at the University of Colorado Boulder, this research builds on the ESA work conducted within SSRG to evaluate the potential role of UAS for collecting observations in and ear supercells for assimilation into storm-scale numerical weather prediction models.
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NWS Data Gaps and the Role of UAS in Filling Them
Funded by the CLOUD-MAP project and led by Drs. Carrick Detweiler and Lisa PytlikZillig, this project aims to evaluate how the public perceives the application of UAS to atmospheric science and this contrasts with other applications (e.g., commercial, agricultural, etc.).
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The Spatiotemporal Relationship between Thunderstorm Initiation and Soil Moisture
Funded by a NASA award led by Dr. Steven Quiring at Ohio State University, this project aims to determine if patterns exist between thunderstorm initiation and soil moisture.
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Supercell Thunderstorm Climatology for the Great Plains
The frequency of occurrence of supercells relative to non-supercells has never been formally documented. Using the ThOR algorithm and the Mesocyclone Detection Algorithm (MDA), ThOR tracks corresponding with a mesocyclone will be weeded out to create a supercell thunderstorm climatology and determine the ratio of supercells to non-supercells.
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Ensemble Sensitivity Analysis for Targeted Observations of Supercell Thunderstorms
Funded by an NSF National Robotics Initiative award led by Dr. Eric Frew of the Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles at the University of Colorado Boulder, this research aims to apply ensemble sensitivity analysis to possible locations in and around supercell thunderstorms where supplemental observations, like those collected by UAS, might improve storm-scale numerical weather predictions.
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Program for Research on Elevated Convection with Intense Precipitation (PRECIP)
Funded by NSF, this project is led by Dr. Patrick Market at the University of Missouri and involves the Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles at the University of Colorado Boulder. The aim of this component of PRECIP is to test the value of supplemental UAS and surface in-situ observations on model predictions of elevated convection producing heavy rain.
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Monitoring and Modeling Episodic Recharge Responses to Weather Events
This project will involve monitoring ground water recharge due to extreme precipitation events in Western Nebraska. Heat dissipation matric potential sensors will be used to monitor water flow in the unsaturated zone. The data will be correlated with radar reflectivity data collected from the Automated Weather Data Network monitoring site of the High Plains Regional Climate Center. The combined data will be used to develop an algorithm to model and predict ground water recharge.
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