Hot Items 2004NSSL scientific collaboration with Taiwan benefits both countries
Asia is experiencing the worst flooding in more than half a century with the latest flooding resulting in more than 500 deaths and millions displaced from their homes. Even Taiwan is experiencing the worst flooding in 25 years. However, Taiwanese forecasters are benefitting from new technology developed by scientists at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla.
Torrential rain in the wake of Typhoon Mindulle in early July caused severe widespread flooding across the island resulting in at least 18 deaths. NOAA researchers are now assessing how well the system they developed performed and the usefulness of the information during this critical time. Ultimately, this tragedy will help improve the science and potentially mitigate the impacts of future flooding disasters in Taiwan, as well as the United States.
The Taiwan government has invested nearly $1 million in a four-year research effort to develop an advanced system using radar, satellite and surface measurements to estimate precipitation and improve flood and flash flood monitoring and detection.
Using funding and technical support from the Taiwan government's weather service, the Central Meteorological Administration, NSSL has developed a system that uses multiple remote sensing observations in combination with models and advanced graphical displays to estimate rainfall intensity. The system was initially deployed in the desert southwest of the United States and then duplicated in the tropical region of Taiwan to improve the system and the science behind it. The collaboration in creating the system includes the University of Oklahoma as well as private weather companies Weather Decision Technologies and Vieux & Associates, all based in Norman.
"This unique partnership has allowed us to bring a tailored system to Taiwan," said Ken Howard, NSSL research meteorologist and program manager. "It's really the best this community and NOAA has to offer."
Howard believes the NOAA National Weather Service will ultimately benefit from the research done in Taiwan.
"Taiwan offers a unique environment and a fantastic test bed for hydrometeorological applications," Howard said. "If our applications work well there, they will work anywhere in the world, especially in the United States."
7/14/2004