The objective of this three-year U.S.-Yugoslav cooperative research project in mesoscale meteorology between Vesna Jurcec of Zagreb's Hydrometeorological Institute, F. Mesinger of Belgrade's Institute of Meteorology and Ronald B. Smith of Yale University is to continue their study of Bora wind storms using observational, numerical and theoretical approaches. The Bora phenomenon is a severe, downslope wind storm occuring along Yugoslavia's mountainous Adriatic Coast. Bora-like winds also occur in Utah, the Cascade Mountains of Washington, and along the Alaskan coast. Thus, research on the Yugoslav Bora can be applied to similar regions in the U.S. The investigators plan to continue to apply Smith's hydraulic model to severe bora cases in the southern Adriatic. Bora simulations are planned using Dr. Mesinger's computer model on mountain airflow. The Bora simulations, in turn, will be used to validate Dr. Mesinger's model. The joint work with Smith will contribute to better understanding of the particular Bora wind storm and extend our abilities to predict other severe storms and weather phenomena connected to mountainous regions. This project was approved by the U.S.-Yugoslav Joint Board on Cooperation in Science and Technology and is supported through a joint fund consisting of matching contributions from the U.S. and Yugoslav governments. The U.S. contribution is provided annually by the Department of State. No NSF funds are involved. The award, except for funds for U.S. scientist travel, is made to the Yugoslav institution. NSF's goal to advance scientific knowledge is promoted through the joint efforts and complementary expertise of the Yugoslav and U.S. investigators.
