The Center for Multi-Scale Modeling of Atmospheric Processes (CMMAP) project is studying clouds and how they fit into computer models of Earth's climate. Click on image for full size (50 Kb) Image courtesy of Colorado State University.

Clouds are an important part of Earth's weather and climate. Scientists use computer models to study our planet's climate. Part of those computer models are models of clouds. It is hard to model clouds. Part of the reason is because models of clouds need to include very big and very small things. Some parts of cloud models need to explain very big things like hurricanes that can be more than a hundred miles across. Other parts of cloud models need to explain very small things like raindrops and snowflakes.

There is a new science research center for studying clouds. It is called CMMAP, which stands for the Center for Multi-Scale Modeling of Atmospheric Processes. The National Science Foundation gave Colorado State University (CSU) some money in July 2006 to set up CMMAP. Windows to the Universe is helping out with CMMAP. We are creating web pages and activities that help people understand clouds and climate modeling.

The links below have more information about the CMMAP project, how CMMAP is helping people teach and learn about climate, and the science of clouds and climate modeling.

• Science Education page on main CMMAP web site at CSU
• Little Shop of Physics
• CMMAP project home page at Colorado State University