National Aeronautics and Space Administration Weather Programs

SUPPORTING RESEARCH: NASA'S SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD). NASA transformed its organization in the summer of 2004, uniting the former Earth and Space Science Enterprises. The Science Mission Directorate will carry out the scientific exploration of the Earth, Moon, Mars and beyond; chart the best route of discovery; and reap the benefits of Earth and space exploration for society. A combined organization is best able to establish an understanding of the Earth, other planets and their evolution, bring the lessons of our study of Earth to the exploration of the Solar System, and to assure the discoveries made here will enhance our work there. The frontier of Earth system science is to: (1) explore interactions among the major components of the Earth system continents, oceans, atmosphere, ice, and life; (2) distinguish natural from humaninduced causes of change; and (3) understand and predict the consequences of change. Within the Science Mission Directorate, NASA has established six scientific focus areas for these complex processes. These scientific focus areas are: Atmospheric Composition, Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems, Climate Variability and Change, Earth Surface and Interior, Water and Energy Cycle, and Weather. Roadmaps have been developed to summarize the technology, observations, modeling, field campaigns, basic research, and partnerships needed over the next 25 years to achieve the long-term goals for each of these focus areas. The availability of fresh water on planet Earth affects billions of people. Floods and drought can be life-threatening. The following questions guide research within the Water and Energy Cycle Focus Area: • How are global precipitation, evaporation, and the cycling of water changing? • What are the effects of clouds and surface hydrologic processes on Earth's climate? • How are variations in local weather, precipitation and water resources related to global climate variation? • How will water cycle dynamics change in the future? The Water and Energy Cycle Focus Area studies the distribution, transport, and transformation of water and energy within the Earth system. Since solar energy drives water and energy exchanges, the energy cycle and the water cycle are intimately entwined. Thus, research focuses on the closely linked budgets of energy and moisture. Focus area research is aligned with national and international programs including the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment and the water cycle activities of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. The approach to these goals rests on a combination of observations, understanding, modeling, prediction, and decision-support systems presented in NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WEATHER PROGRAMS