The first issue of a new publication series, the MAP newsletter, is in your hands. There is a distinct reason to launch the publication of this newsletter. It shall be the official forum of a new research initiative in mountain meteorology, and on the other hand it replaces the internationally distributed and acknowledged ALPEX-Regional Bulletin, which served for some 11 years as a communication platform for the scientific community interested in mountain meteorology.
During the last decade probably the most dramatic change in the field of meteorology was the development of high resolution numerical weather prediction models, which are now widely available on an operational basis. While earlier research has primarily focused on how to correctly simulate meso-a-scale phenomena -- which are especially pronounced in mountainous regions (e.g. orographically induced cyclogen esis) and which are being sufficiently resolved by the densely spaced Alpine observing systems-the key questions are now changing with the advent of high-resolution numerical modelling. The new issue is how to verify smaller-scale (meso-b) proc esses. These scales have a heavily weather controlling character. The resolution of models has definitely overtaken the resolution even of the most dense operational observing system of the world, namely that in the Alpine region. An other fundamental question arises: Is there a meaningful lower limit of resolution for operational weather forecasting models?
The fundamental change of the scientific questions has born the idea of a Mesoscale Alpine Programme "MAP". In this respect the strategy will not only point straight towards a new field experiment, but prior to that a supreme effort has to be undertaken, which is only effective in an international cooperation, to further stimulate modelling efforts, to develop adequate analysis, diagnosis and verification techniques, to test new observing technologies, to find ways how to make the accessibility of special observing networks easier, and to establish an Alpine climatological data base. This makes MAP substantially different from ALPEX. Nevertheless the lessons learned during ALPEX will help to make MAP a successful enterprise.
As an enthusiastic participant of ALPEX, I am delighted to see that many leading ALPEX-scientists are again keen to participate in this new international programme, and especially that several of the former young student participants have become noted scientists themselves and are no less fascinated by mountain meteorology. In addition, I am sure that the MAP newsletters will also serve as center of attraction to numerous scientists who have not yet been involved in the activities of the former ALPEX-Regional Group and who will enrich the international collaboration.
May the MAP newsletter play an equally important role during at least the next decade like its predecessor. This will certainly be the case if the MeteoSwiss in its generous manner will go on to take care of the publication, and if the spirit of mountain meteorology will continue to inspire our programme.
