Joint Research Between
Florida State University and
45th Weather Squadron, USAF--Patrick AFB, FL

Participants

Florida State University 45th Weather Squadron
Henry E. Fuelberg
Co-Principal Investigator
Professor of Meteorology

Captain Jon Kelly, USAF
Masters Degree Student

Captain Chris Cantrell, USAF
Masters Degree Student

P. Anil Rao
Ph.D Candidate

William P. Roeder
Director of Training
Co-Principal Investigator

Lt. Col. Richard W. Taylor, USAF
Commander, 45th Weather Squadron

Objectives

The overall objective of this research is to improve forecasts of thunderstorms that are associated with the various sea and river breezes in the Cape Canaveral area. This research should help Cape forecasters better understand the local weather activity which affects their day to day operations. The Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU), which is collocated with the 45th Weather Squadron and has extensive experience in investigating this local ized weather, will also participate in the research.

Through 1998 four specific research tasks will be performed. These are listed below along with the primary FSU investigator (where applicable):

  1. Establish the climatology of the sea breeze in the Cape Canaveral area. Then, use this information to develop a methodology for predicting the time of sea breeze passage at specific locations in the area and a methodology for forecasting the extent o f inland sea breeze penetration. (Cetola)
  2. Help forecasters better utilize mesoscale numerical output by determining those situations when the model will exhibit comparatively good versus poor skill in forecasting the sea breeze.
  3. Develop a local thunderstorm tool that will assist forecasters in predicting convection associated with the sea and river breezes. (Future USAF AFIT student)
  4. Perform mesoscale numerical simulations to better understand factors affecting sea and river breezes in the Cape Canaveral area. (Rao)

For more information on the progress of these tasks, please see the COMET FSU/AWS Annual report.