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The Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological
Studies (CIMMS) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) was established in 1978
to promote research collaboration between NOAA and OU. CIMMS provides a
center where government and academic scientists may work together to learn
about and apply their knowledge of mesoscale weather and regional-scale
climate processes. CIMMS' NOAA research partners in Norman, Oklahoma include
the OAR National Severe Storms Laboratory and four National Weather Service
units: Radar Operations Center for the WSR-88D (NEXRAD) Program, Storm Prediction
Center, Warning Decision Training Branch, and the Norman Weather Forecast
Office. CIMMS also collaborates with scientists at the NWS Southern Region
Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas and at the National Climatic Data Center
of NOAA's Satellite and Information Service in Asheville, North Carolina.
CIMMS concentrates its research efforts and resources on the following principal
six themes: (1) Basic Convective and Mesoscale Research - Perform
fundamental research on mesoscale and convective weather processes; (2)
Forecast Improvements - Transfer research findings into knowledge, technology,
and training that can be used to improve forecasts and warnings; (3)
Climatic Effects of/Controls on Mesoscale Processes - Perform research
to improve understanding of the relationships between mesoscale processes
and regional climate; (4) Socioeconomic Impacts of Mesoscale Weather
Systems and Regional-Scale Climate Variations - Assess the impact to
society and the economy of storm systems and regional climate variability
and make that information available to policy makers and the public and
private sectors; (5) Doppler Weather Radar Research and Development
- Perform research on weather surveillance radar and develop prototype economical
applications and techniques for optimal operational deployment; and (6)
Climate Change Monitoring and Detection - Develop techniques to monitor
climate and detect its changes.
CIMMS research activities have resulted in 162 scientific publications annually,
of which more than 45% appear in peer-reviewed publications. In general,
the research being undertaken at CIMMS leads to an improved understanding
of the evolution and structure of meteorological and climatological phenomena
which results in more accurate predictions of hazardous weather and anomalous
regional climate and for better warning decision making. This research leads
to an improved understanding of the structure and behavior of deep convection
including that of supercell storms, tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds,
large hail, and heavy snow. The climate research is also providing new insights
into the potential links between climate variability and severe storm frequency
and severity. Climate indices and indicators are being identified that provide
early detection of important climate changes in the United States. Because
small-, meso-, and regional-scale phenomena also are important causes and
manifestations of climate, CIMMS research is contributing to improved understanding
of the global climate system and change.
CIMMS research activities primarily assist NOAA in two of its Mission Goals:
(1) Understand climate variability and change to enhance society's ability
to plan and respond; and (2) Serve society's needs for weather and water
information.
