A scientific response to preventing destructive weather

BY MARY ALICE ROSE

Everyone is interested in the weather because of its effect on daily activities, from the routine to the historic. Unexpected cloudbursts have drenched many a family gathering or sports event. Regional phenomena can have a global impact on travel, tourism, agriculture, shipping, and other aspects of international economics. And, of course, concerns about global warming have governments everywhere searching for ways to respond.

This year has already produced a number of weather-related headlines: record snowfalls in Canada; the continuing drought in Australia; tornadoes and floods across the United States; a devastating cyclone in Southeast Asia. And now that the Atlantic hurricane season has begun, experts are predicting we might see above normal activity.

From my background as a meteorologist, I see the greatest need with regard to the weather as that of grappling with a feeling of helplessness in the face of forces that seem uncontrollable. Meteorologists and other physical scientists continue to search for causes of these phenomena and to understand future trends and events. Their efforts have given us better forecasting tools such as satellites, weather analysis software, and advanced radar and warning systems. As helpful as these tools have been, there still are many unanswered questions about the basic aspects of destructive weather.

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