Lead Institution: Howard University (Historically Black College and University)
Academic Partners: Jackson State University, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and State University of New York at Albany
NOAA Collaborative Research Partner: National Weather Service
Other NOAA Research Partners: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
Education Focus: Student education and training through research focused on improving the accuracy of weather and climate forecast models. NCAS has developed two primary research themes: Air Quality Forecasting and Analyses and Climate and Weather Forecasting and Analyses.
The mission of NCAS is to increase the number of highly qualified, well-trained graduates in NOAA-related sciences, with particular emphasis on the atmospheric sciences, for career opportunities with NOAA, NOAA contractors, other Federal agencies, and academia. NCAS enhances the implementation of comprehensive academic and research-training programs, which capitalize on the strength of the university partners. All partners contribute to training workshops and professional conferences, shared courses and seminars, outreach activities, student recruitment and mentoring, and conduct and present NOAA related research at professional meetings.
NCAS has developed two primary research themes: (1) Advancing the understanding of air quality-climate-health interactions and; (2) Improving prediction of precipitation through integrated measurements, models, and data analyses. The Center supports three activities under these themes:
- Infrastructure development for weather-related research and applications, with a specific focus on urban and transitional regions within the United States;
- Production of a domestic corps of highly trained atmospheric and environmental specialists to support the professional workforce at NOAA, other Federal agencies, academic institutions, and within the private sector; and
- Research and applications in support of NOAA’s strategic goals, specifically those of the National Weather Service (NWS).
The research goals are pursued through the development, validation and application of weather research and forecast models. NCAS and NOAA researchers collaborate in the development of improved physical parameterizations for weather, climate, and air quality forecast models with the aim to improve weather and climate model predictions. Another unique aspect of NCAS is the development of observational programs in climate and air quality in support of model development and satellite data analysis.
