theory in terms of three-dimensional differential 

 geodesy is being developed, as well as studies on 

 the downward continuation of the geopotential 

 and on a representation of the geopotential by 

 density layering. 



Global atmospheric research program/the global 

 weather experiment (FGGE). This experiment has 

 four basic objectives: (1) To obtain a better un- 

 derstanding of atmospheric motions for the devel- 

 opment of realistic models for extended range 

 forecasting, general circulation, and climate; (2) 

 to assess the ultimate limit of predictability of 

 weather systems of various sizes and time scales; 

 (3) to develop new methods for assimilation of 

 meteorological data in numerical weather forecast 

 models, and in particular, for using more effec- 

 tively satellite data in the models; and (4) to de- 

 sign an optimum composite global observing sys- 

 tem for routine numerical weather prediction on a 

 global basis. 



Air-sea interaction. The energy and moisture 

 exchange between the ocean and atmosphere is 

 basic to worldwide weather and climate and to the 

 major ocean currents. Effort is directed toward 

 the development of mathematical models of the 

 exchange processes, major field investigations to 

 provide data on the exchange processes, and 

 modeling of storm surge flooding of coastal areas. 



Tidal research. At the present time, NOAA is 

 conducting a research project to evaluate the re- 

 sponse method in comparison to other methods of 

 tidal analysis. A second project has been the 

 collection of offshore tidal data with deep-sea tide 

 gages for application to continental shelf tidal 

 modeling. A major application of future offshore 

 tidal measurements by the Oceanographic Divi- 

 sion will be the determination of offshore tides bv 

 a combination of satellite altimeter tidal data and 

 /ns/'fu tidal measurements. 



NOAA research priorities for the next 3 to 10 

 years include the following: 



Oceans. These include: Understanding the role 

 of the oceans in climate variation; continued de- 

 velopment of numerical models of atmospheric 

 and ocean systems over a wide range of spatial 

 and temporal scales; and understanding the trans- 

 port and chronic effects of pollutants on the ocean 

 ecosystem. 



Mesoscale weather. Short and medium range 

 forecasting techniques are sought for severe 

 weather and specialized users (e.g., agricultural 

 weather); on the longer term, emphasis is on long- 

 range forecasting. Improving the observation and 

 modeling of mesoscale weather phenomena; ob- 

 taining a comprehensive description of severe 

 storms, particularly tornadic storms; basic cloud 

 and precipitation microphysics; and modeling the 



planetary boundary layer over irregular terrain are 

 other areas of interest. 



Geochemical cycles. This planned research em- 

 phasizes: (I) Understanding the geochemical cy- 

 cles of carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the atmo- 

 sphere, oceans, and biosphere; and (2) improving 

 understanding of the physics and chemistry of 

 stratosphere and upper troposphere (e.g., ozone). 



Continental shelf, coastal estuarine processes. 

 Research seeks to develop a comprehensive inter- 

 disciplinary program that will aim at modeling the 

 dynamics of shelf and deep water circulation 

 phenomena as well as ocean wave climate in the 

 U.S. oceanic regions. Other areas include deter- 

 mination of the behavior and circulation patterns 

 of nearshore and estuarine water masses; and 

 analysis of the location and description of cata- 

 strophic phenomena active on the continental shelf 

 such as slumps, slides, mass sediment transport, 

 etc., through microbathymetric analysis and close 

 grid surveys. 



Fine structure of the geoid. Future research 

 seeks to: Determine the nature and origin of fine 

 structure features in the geoid (wave lengths of 

 less than 100 kilometers); develop a unified ap- 

 proach to geodesy in the United States (unifica- 

 tion of horizontal and vertical base data); deter- 

 mine the relationship between geodetic and gravi- 

 metric fluctuations over the continental shelf and 

 continental areas of the United States; determine 

 the rate of elevation change in tectonically active 

 areas of the United States; and use and develop 

 very long base interferometry (VLBI) techniques 

 to determine polar motion rates over the United 

 States. 



The Global Weather Experiment (GARP/FGGE). 

 The research activities under the global atmo- 

 spheric research program (GARP) will continue. 

 This includes plans and preparations for FGGE 

 (the Global Weather Experiment), the operational 

 phase of which is scheduled for 1978 and 1979. 

 Research on the GARP Atlantic Tropical Experi- 

 ment (GATE), the field phase of which was carried 

 out in 1974, will also continue. 



Climate. The effect of aerosols on climate will 

 be studied, as will the human impact on climate. 

 For the longer term (10 years), the research priori- 

 ties in the climate area include climate diagnostic 

 research. 



Weather modification. Research initiated in the 

 late 1960"s to develop a sound scientific basis for 

 weather modification will continue. This will in- 

 clude field experimentation on hurricanes and 

 convective clouds. 



Sea-air interaction. Surface meteorological and 

 oceanic data to determine the effect of atmospher- 

 ic forcing on the local mass and motion fields of 

 the upper ocean will be analyzed. Initial analysis 



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