High Resolution Regional Meteorological Modeling

Project ID: 5-CS-11062752-321

Federal Agency: U.S. Forest Service National Forest System

Partner Institution: University of Washington

Fiscal Year: 2025

Initial Funding: $40,000

Total Funding: $40,000

Principal Investigator: Mass, Clifford

Agreement Technical Representative: Donaldson, Christopher

Abstract: 

The Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S.Forest Service is required to manage smoke from burning of forest fuels on nationalforest lands to reduce the risk to public health, safety, and economic hardships. To do so, these smoke models require meteorological parameters which affect downwind transport and dispersion such as temperature, wind speed and direction. Due to the complexity of the terrain of the Pacific Northwest and other factors, high-resolution meteorological data is needed to capture the associated complexities affecting smoke transport and dispersion. The University is recognized as the leading academic institution in the region in advancing the science of high-resolution meteorological forecasting. The University currently produces a suite of high-resolution meteorological forecast data for the Pacific Northwest. The forecast data is continuously tested and updated. The University benefits in enhancing its teaching curriculum and associated research. The U.S. Forest Service benefits by using the forecasted meteorological parameters in their smoke models to predict where, when, and how much smoke will occur and modify burn plans to minimize smoke impacts to the public and accomplish hazardous fuels reduction targets.