Research Programs

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  Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics

  Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics studies the dynamics of the atmosphere, temperature, moisture, and wind to better understand the conditions that drive specific weather events. This research improves computer models, algorithms, and data assimilation that support short-term to seasonal weather prediction and understanding. To do this, the Weather program observes atmospheric phenomena associated with the water cycle through suborbital and satellite observations to determine the relationship between atmospheric thermodynamics, dynamics, storm structure, and convection; ocean surface properties; and radiation within weather systems. Ultimately, Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics hopes to improve process models in these areas, provide initial conditions and assimilation of data to better characterize and understand weather systems, and develop long-term time-series of atmospheric analyses to support weather and climate studies.

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  Precipitation Science

  The NASA Precipitation Measurement Missions (PMM) Science Team conducts scientific research including algorithm development, mission implementation, product validation, and data utilization in support of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites. Research topics include storm structure and mesoscale dynamics, the global water cycle, climate analysis, and precipitation microphysics. In addition, Precipitation Science programs support work on precipitation algorithms, ground validation studies, and applications.

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  Lightning

  The primary objectives of the Lightning program include determining the relationship between the electrical characteristics of storms and precipitation, convection, and severe weather. Instruments have been designed, constructed, and deployed by NASA as ground-based, airborne, and space-based sensors capable of detecting and characterizing lightning in order to study the electrical behavior of thunderstorms.

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  Planetary Boundary Layer

  Improved understanding and prediction accuracy of the atmospheric Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) and the ability to make significant advances in several PBL application areas (e.g., air quality and human health, improved forecasting of severe storms, improved climate projections, renewable energies) are currently constrained by the lack of global PBL observations at sufficient spatial and temporal resolution and sampling. NASA works to identify the most critical PBL science and applications questions in the context of Earth System science considering the diverse spatial and temporal scales of the atmosphere, ocean, land, and ice. New observing technologies and approaches, including in situ as well as ground-based, airborne, and satellite remote sensing, have the potential to significantly increase the quality, amount, and types of observations collected within the PBL.

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  Satellite Data Assimilation

  The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) uses comprehensive global models and data assimilation techniques to maximize the impact of satellite observations in climate, weather, and atmospheric composition prediction. To achieve this goal, GMAO develops models and assimilation systems for the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface; generates products to support NASA instrument teams for field campaigns and the NASA Earth Science Research and Analysis program; and undertakes scientific research to inform modeling system development. The Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) is a partnership among NASA, NOAA, and DoD. Its mission is to accelerate and improve the quantitative use of research and operational satellite data in weather, ocean, and environmental analysis and prediction models.

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  High-End Computing and Modeling

  The NASA High-End Computing Program supports the agency's aeronautics research, human exploration, scientific discovery, and space operations missions. Our programs support Earth Science computational modeling needs, primarily focusing on weather and climate models. ThHigh-End Computing Program also supports the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence foundation models, among other numerical techniques to study global climate change, weather forecasting, and prediction problems.

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  Operational Geostationary Satellite Systems

  Earth Science Research from Operational Geostationary Satellite Systems is a cross-cutting Earth Science Division program element managed by the Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics Focus Area. The program provides an opportunity for the Earth Science research community to perform scientific research using data from the new generation of operational geostationary satellites. Program achievements include advancing the understanding of changes in the Earth’s radiation balance, air quality, and ozone layer, improving the capability to predict weather and extreme weather events, and enabling better assessment of the global water cycle, among other goals that inform decisions and provide benefits to society.

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  Short-term Prediction Research and Transition

  The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) takes the data products and algorithms from NASA research satellites and transitions them to NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs). SPoRT aims to improve short-term forecasts on a regional scale.