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DENVER - The National Science Foundation on Monday awarded $19 million to Colorado State University to build a center that will study how clouds affect the weather, a move that could lead to better forecasts.
The center's main aim will be to study climate rather than daily weather, including global warming. But the work will mean better forecasts, too, said David Randall, a CSU atmospheric scientist.
Even with the development of computer power in recent years, scientists have struggled trying to determine how clouds affect climate, he said.
"If we do a better job of predicting cloudiness we can do a better job of predicting highs and lows, and precipitation, the things people care about," said Randall, who will be director of the center with a staff of about 30.
"People have been struggling with this problem for 40 years and a lot of good work has been done, but we need a breakthrough," Randall said.
Forecasters can predict weather with reasonable accuracy up to three days, CSU officials said. In the 1990s, it was only two days.
Some of the money will be spent on making weather study more interesting for students, including support for CSU's Little Shop of Physics Program.
"We'll look at questions like 'Why are clouds white?' and 'Why do clouds stay up?' - very interesting questions that have to do with the basic science of air, water, energy and light," said Brian Jones, director of the Little Shop of Physics.
"We'll develop instructional materials for schools related to the program that complement existing materials and relate to state standards," he said. "Our goal will be to help ensure that, when the kids who go through the school get to college, they have a strong training in basic sciences and a real interest in studying science, including climate science."
Construction will begin next year on a 20,000-square-foot building at the Foothills campus. Researchers and educators from elsewhere in the nation as well as Canada, Japan, England and Australia will be involved.
The $19 million is for five years and the university may get an additional $20 million over the following five years.
The center's main aim will be to study climate rather than daily weather, including global warming. But the work will mean better forecasts, too, said David Randall, a CSU atmospheric scientist.
Even with the development of computer power in recent years, scientists have struggled trying to determine how clouds affect climate, he said.
"If we do a better job of predicting cloudiness we can do a better job of predicting highs and lows, and precipitation, the things people care about," said Randall, who will be director of the center with a staff of about 30.
"People have been struggling with this problem for 40 years and a lot of good work has been done, but we need a breakthrough," Randall said.
Forecasters can predict weather with reasonable accuracy up to three days, CSU officials said. In the 1990s, it was only two days.
Some of the money will be spent on making weather study more interesting for students, including support for CSU's Little Shop of Physics Program.
"We'll look at questions like 'Why are clouds white?' and 'Why do clouds stay up?' - very interesting questions that have to do with the basic science of air, water, energy and light," said Brian Jones, director of the Little Shop of Physics.
"We'll develop instructional materials for schools related to the program that complement existing materials and relate to state standards," he said. "Our goal will be to help ensure that, when the kids who go through the school get to college, they have a strong training in basic sciences and a real interest in studying science, including climate science."
Construction will begin next year on a 20,000-square-foot building at the Foothills campus. Researchers and educators from elsewhere in the nation as well as Canada, Japan, England and Australia will be involved.
The $19 million is for five years and the university may get an additional $20 million over the following five years.
