1. Central American collaborative interests in NAME
Jorge A. Amador
Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas
Universidad de Costa Rica
6-7 November 2003

2. NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON EXPERIMENT (NAME)
HYPOTHESIS
The NAMS provides a physical
basis for determining the degree of
predictability of warm season
precipitation over the region.
Topographic and Sea-Land Influence
OBJECTIVES:
Better understanding and
simulation of:
warm season convective
processes in complex terrain
(TIER I);
intra-seasonal variability of
the monsoon (TIER II);
response of warm season
circulation and precipitation
to slowly varying boundary
conditions (SST, soil
moisture) (TIER III);
monsoon evolution and
variability (TIER I, II, III).
Intra-seasonal Variability
Boundary Forcing?

3. NAME objectives (2004).
Extended Observation Period (EOP) and several Intense Observation Periods (IOP)
EOP
starting date is June 15
end date for the EOP will be August 21
It has been proposed that 20 IOPs be conducted within the EOP. During the IOPs it is proposed that 6 radiosonde observations per day be taken at some sites.

4. Intensity of the jet is ENSO associated

5. ECAC 2001 (Warm Pools Climatic Experiment) UNAM, UCR, … (IAI-CRN 073)SE
SSE E
SSE E NE SE SE E NE
NNE E E

10. JJA ( )

12. Relationship between
the Caribbean and
the eastern Pacific
climate

17. X X

18. Importance of the Caribbean Low Level Easterly –Jet
in the westward and northward transfer of properties
(momentum and moisture, ...);
interaction of the low-level jet with easterly waves,…

19. SE
SSE E E NE SE SE E NE
NNE
Soundings
Pilot balloons E E

20. The Belize and Costa Rica SMNs could provide the balloons and hydrogen for the observations but require the extra sounding systems to shift from a once daily to a twice daily schedule.
These institutions could also cover the costs associated with field personnel
We need to enhance the upper air observations (the large scale forcing, Tier III) for operational activities during NAME