The Atmospheric Sciences. Entering The Twenty-First Century

Advancing technology and scientific understanding have propelled the atmospheric sciences from a fledging discipline to a global enterprise that contributes to the safety and vitality of a broad spectrum of public and private endeavors. This book presents a comprehensive assessment of the atmospheric sciences and offers a vision of the future for federal authorities, the private meteorological sector, and scientific and education communities. It identifies scientific imperatives, recommends directions for research, and examines issues related to research priorities and management of the discipline. In a detailed look at five subdisciplines-physics, chemistry, dynamics and weather forecasting, upper atmosphere and near-Earth space physics, climate and climate change-this volume offers guidance for the atmospheric sciences as they enter the twenty-first century.