9303825 Smith It is known that orography exerts an important influence on atmospheric motions. It is considered to be crucial that the effects of mountains be properly included in numerical prediction models whether they focus on climate, synoptic, regional or local weather. In previous research on this topic, the Principal Investigator has been instrumental in advancing fundamental knowledge of atmospheric flows around mountains and the influence of these flows on the atmosphere. The Principal Investigator will attempt to determine the nature of the transition between three-dimensional laminar mountain wave flows and mountain flows with dissipation and wakes. Using numerical models and observational studies, the Principal Investigator will further refine the conditions under which different atmospheric flows occur near mountains. ***
