NSF NCAR - The National Center for Atmospheric Research

We're working to chart a path forward for a resilient, sustainable society. 🌎 At NSF NCAR, we're committed to advancing our understanding of Earth system science, from the ocean to the exosphere, for the betterment of our communities and for a brighter future. Here's just a little slice of what we do! 📽 Get to know our mission: https://lnkd.in/gqjxb4nZ #science #actionablescience #sustainability #forecasting

The historic Mesa Laboratory is filled with haunting curiosities, like hidden tunnels, odd rooms, and *lightning crash* a secret rainshaft in Tower B of Terror! ⚡️ For #Halloween, here’s a spooky science #storytime about NSF NCAR history; (un)settle in for a tale of science and mystery! 👻 The rainshaft in gothic Tower B extends from the fourth floor up to the penthouse and functioned as an enclosed space to enable cloud microphysics experiments involving electricity– paging Dr. Frankenstein, amirite? According to a recently exhumed Staff Notes article from 1966, early experiments conducted in the rainshaft included creating an “electrical corona” to study the role of electrically charged raindrops in the production of lightning. And, the most mysterious part– the very same article includes a picture of ominous text with no further elaboration: "Danger: The first step is two (2) stories down!" In 1970, the rainshaft was repurposed into a vertical wind tunnel, effectively laying to rest the lightning studies in the mysterious rainshaft. 🪦 Learn more about the spooky science and history of NSF NCAR from our spectral librarians at the NSF NCAR Archives! And, snoop around like Nancy Drew through our online archive to uncover more: opensky.ucar.edu/ #tbt #spookystories #sciencestories

Earlier this month, NSF NCAR received a major grant from NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration aimed to improve projections of future climate. The grant will allow researchers to run multiple computer model simulations, providing decision makers with information about key climate variables 20 years and beyond into the future. These multi-decadal climate projections will address a wide array of risks like heavy precipitation, temperature extremes, drought, and coastal flooding. Read the full scope of the project: https://lnkd.in/gzKCkCzH #grantfunding #grants #wx

Falling into 50 years of the dropsonde! 🌀 Developed at NSF NCAR, dropsondes have been providing essential atmospheric observations since 1974, beginning with the GATE field campaign. Since then, the dropsonde has become ubiquitous on airborne research and reconnaissance missions, showing the value of observations from within extreme weather events (like hurricanes). This method improves both our understanding of the physics of events like hurricanes and our ability to forecast their evolution, saving lives and livelihoods. Over the years, the NSF NCAR Dropsonde Program has remained the leader in developing dropsonde technology, ensuring that dropsondes continually became more accurate, more affordable, and lighter weight. Read the full, amazing story of the development of the dropsonde at NSF NCAR: https://lnkd.in/gzhN4PRi #hurricaneresearch #dropsonde #technology #techhistory

#Farmers will be able to manage crops smarter, not harder, with this new tool! 🥬 NSF NCAR scientists and a team of researchers are developing CropSmart, a new app that takes agricultural data and creates individualized, data-driven recommendations for farmers through the use of a digital twin. A digital twin is a virtual replica of something in the physical world and can run multiple simulations to help answer “what if” scenarios. This tool may revolutionize the way farmers, agribusiness operators, and government agricultural officials make decisions about irrigation strategies, fertilizer applications, and when to harvest. Learn more about how this project is growing: https://lnkd.in/gkB5SsYT

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Warren Washington, internationally recognized leader in the atmospheric/climate sciences and trailblazer for Black and other underrepresented scientists, passed away at age 88. After joining NSF NCAR in 1963, Washington and fellow scientist Akira Kasahara began building one of the first general circulation computer models of the atmosphere. Washington and Kasahara’s model cemented NSF NCAR’s place among the leading climate modeling centers and provided foundational knowledge to advance the study of Earth’s climate and climate change. Both the scientific advancements we have achieved and the culture of atmospheric science are better because of his contributions. His legacy will live on at NSF NCAR as we continue the important work he began here. Read our tribute, which will evolve during the week with additional remembrances: https://lnkd.in/ga5RYpp3

Journey to the lands of Mordor– erm, the Mesa Lab!-- for this year’s Super Science Saturday!🧝♂️ No magic ring required to enter, but lots of science wizardry and wonder will be had! 🧙♂️ On Saturday, November 2, bring your friends, family, and fellowship to the Mesa Lab’s Two Towers for a day of scientific demonstrations, weather balloon launches, fun, and more themed around “Science Quest”! 🧌 Hope to see you there! Learn more:  https://lnkd.in/g39K7V_R UCAR Center for Science Education #boulderevents #boulderco #sciencefun

Happening Thursday! If you're in #Colorado, come out to the Longmont Museum for an encore presentation of the Explorer Series lecture about atmospheric rivers with Christine Shields. It's sure to make a splash! 💦 Details and registration: https://lnkd.in/g_xAFpQp

The NSF NCAR Earth Observing Laboratory is actively testing components of the proposed Lower Troposphere Observing System (LOTOS) at NCAR’s Marshall Field site. LOTOS aims to integrate instruments like radars, lidars, wind profilers, ASSIST IR spectrometer, flux towers, and surface energy budget and trace gas sensors into a cohesive, deployable measurement platform for the scientific community. The Marshall tests are crucial for advancing sensor development and refining the algorithms needed to synchronize data from these diverse instruments. Upper photos show the ISFS and MPD lidar, lower photos show ISS requestable facilities. #NCAREOL  #NCAR_Science  #NSF #LOTOS

Don't forget! 🗓 We're in the last stretch of fall Explorer Series offerings, and you don't want to miss out on these two sessions. Register for the ONLINE October 16 make-up event with Jenett Tillotson and Connor Scott: https://lnkd.in/gcXfm3xK Register for the IN-PERSON October 17 event at the Longmont Museum with Christine Shields: https://lnkd.in/g_xAFpQp #atmosphericrivers #derecho #supercomputing #hpc #LongmontCO