Kuettner, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80307-3000
The US scientific community has been kept informed about the progress of MAP during the past 2 years. Several American scientists participated in the preparations of the "MAP Design Proposal".
On July 1995, the American Meteorological Society held a conference on Mountain Meteorology in Breckenridge, Colorado, which offered an opportunity to discuss aspects of a potential U.S. participation in MAP. Following an invited summary paper on MAP given by J. Kuettner, an informal evening meeting was held to discuss the pros and cons of a possible U.S. participation in MAP. The lively, well attended meeting evoked numerous comments, mostly interested and favorable, although the presently prevailing concern about the budget and agency cutting mood of the U.S. Congress was clearly noticeable. Some of the comments referred to the need for MAP to balance the inequity between high resolution models and observations. MAP was also viewed as a true coupling of research and operations. Specific comments referred to the possible use of ground and airborne Doppler radar, lidars and profilers. The dense Alpine ground observing network was highly valued. It was felt that U.S. intellectual contributions to MAP may also be helpful.
It was agreed that as a first step an Overview Paper will be written
which will collect and summarize specific U.S. science interests
and related observing needs. This paper will be reviewed by funding
agencies before proposals by individual scientists can be submitted.
Some key people were identified who will lead this effort. Further
steps will have to await the outcome of the agencies' reaction.
MAP Data Centre - April '05 - MAP WebMaster