By surmounting the technical difficulties of collecting, integrating, and disseminating surface observations from many different organizations, MesoWest is able to provide research and operational meteorologists with useful, real-time data from the western states.
IPEX-a wintertime research program in the Salt Lake area-aims to improve models, predictions, and understanding of precipitation in a region that is difficult to observe and forecast E ighteen million residents are impacted by winter storms each year throughout the Intermountain West (Wilkinson 1997, p. 30)-the geographic region east of the crests of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains, and west of the Continental Divide (Fig. la). Although historically characterized by low population density, the region has experienced rapid population growth. Between the 1990 and 2000 national censuses, the five fastest growing states belonged to the Intermountain West (Ne-vada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho). For example, Utah experienced a 29.3% increase in population during this 10-yr period. As a result, intermountain winter storms impact a growing population and regional economy. The socioeconomic impacts of winter storms over the Intermountain West include public costs of road maintenance, private costs of property damage, disruption to daily commuter traffic and interstate commerce, and threats to public safety arising from snow-AFFILIATIONS: SCHULTZ
Public, private, and academic groups are working together to provide special observations, advanced modeling, and areawide and site-specific forecasts to help the Winter Games operate smoothly and alert the athletes, games organizers, and the public to impending hazardous weather.
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