NSF Org:	AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
Recipient:	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Initial Amendment Date:	September 28, 1992
Latest Amendment Date:	June 29, 1994
Award Number:	9223150
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	Jay S. Fein AGS  Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	October 1, 1992
End Date:	March 31, 1997 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$823,099.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$823,099.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 1992 = $202,500.00 FY 1993 = $313,323.00 FY 1994 = $307,276.00
History of Investigator:	Judith Curry (Principal Investigator) curryja@eas.gatech.edu Peter Webster (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Colorado at Boulder 3100 MARINE ST Boulder CO  US  80309-0001 (303)492-6221
Sponsor Congressional District:	02
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Colorado at Boulder 3100 MARINE ST Boulder CO  US  80309-0001
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	SPVKK1RC2MZ3
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Climate & Large-Scale Dynamics
Primary Program Source:	app-0193  app-0194
Program Reference Code(s):	1324, 1577, GLCH
Program Element Code(s):	574000
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

In support of the TOGA/COARE objectives, this project is a study of the surface radiative processes in the western Pacific warm pool region. The objective of the program is to provide analyses of: sea-surface "skin" temperature, precipitable water, cloud properties, and components of the surface longwave and shortwave radiative fluxes, with spatial resolution of 30 km and temporal resolution of 3 hours for the entire TOGA COARE primary domain. The data for the analyses will be obtained principally by satellite remote sensing, with the ISCCP data set and algorithms playing a substantial role. Available surface and aircraft data will be utilized to validate the remote sensing algorithms and will also be blended with the satellite retrievals for the final analysis products. An aircraft sub-program is proposed specifically to investigate cloud-radiative properties, and to validate the satellite-derived surface fluxes. The proposed research will be accomplished in three stages: i) remote sensing pilot study to develop and compare satellite algorithms; ii) validation of remote sensing algorithms using TOGA COARE IOP surface and aircraft observations and preparation of high-resolution analyses for the IOP; and iii) diagnostic and studies modeling studies utilizing the analyzed fields. Diagnostic fluxes by synoptic and mesoscale atmospheric focing will be conducted. The temporal response of the ocean mixed layer to fluctuations in the surface radiative fluxes will be examined using an ocean mixed-layer model. The ocean mixed-layer model will be coupled to an atmospheric radiative-convective model to assess the radiative and cloud feedbacks occurring between the atmospheric and oceanic boundary layers. This research is important because it serves as one of the principal TOGA/COARE studies of the processes responsible for sensitive region of the world, the western Pacific Ocean, the field site of TOGA/COARE.

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