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The Lake Effect Inn
Photo Courtesy Dave Kelly, 8 Feb 2007 |
The Ontario Winter Lake-effect Systems (OWLeS) project will be conducted during December 2013 through January 2014. The OWLeS project examines the formation mechanisms, cloud microphysics, boundary layer processes and dynamics of lake-effect systems (LeS) using new observational tools capable of detailing LeS characteristics not observed in previous LeS field experiments. Lake-effect systems form through surface-air interactions as a cold air mass is advected over relatively warm (at least partially) ice-free mesoscale bodies of water. The OWLeS project focuses on Lake Ontario because of its geometry and size, influence of upstream lakes, frequency of LeS, nearby orography, and proximity to several participating universities with a strong record of undergraduate research. We distinguish between short-fetch LeS (those oriented at large angles to the long axis of the lake) and long-fetch LeS (those more aligned with the lake's long axis).
The overarching objectives of the OWLeS project are to:
Facilities requested from the NSF Lower Atmosphere Observing Facility (LAOF) pool are:
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Photo by Greg Thompson
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In addition, several PI-supported mobile and stationary flux, surface, and sounding systems will be deployed. These non-LAOF systems will enhance the ability to observe mesoscale surface and PBL conditions and will facilitate student learning opportunities.
Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of Carlye Calvin, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.