9702715 Bradley The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award focuses on research and enhanced educational opportunities in extreme rainfall estimation for flood hazard assessment. Estimation of the upper limits of storm rainfall for design of high hazard structures is based on the probable maximum precipitation (PMP). Many of the concepts in PMP estimation were developed in the 1930's and 40's. In recent years there have been substantive advances in the observation, understanding, and modeling of convective weather systems. Research will be carried out to improve PMP estimation using modern meteorological methods. The principal objectives of the research plan are to: (1) develop unique climatological information on extreme rainstorms in the central United States, to improve our understanding of the hydrometeorological controls on extreme rainfall, (2) examine fundamental concepts of the PMP approach, including moisture maximization, using mesoscale numerical modeling, (3) develop and evaluate a probable maximum precipitation procedure for major river drainages in the central United States based on descriptions of the large-scale circulation anomalies associated with extended periods of excessive rainfall. The objectives of the educational plan are to: (1) integrate the use of remote sensing information from modern weather observing equipment into graduate and undergraduate courses, (2) develop Internet-based instructional material to support education in remote sensing technologies and hydrometeorological data analysis. ***
