Sites will be selected as required to address specific modeling needs that cannot be adequately addressed with measurements at the primary sites. The high temperatures and low specific humidities of the Sonoran Desert or the Central Australian Desert permit substantial extension of the range of conditions over which infrared radiation transfer models can be tested. The Sonoran Desert locale, especially that portion within the United States, exhibits highly favorable logistical considerations. The Central Australia locale is extremely distant from the United States but has a major international airport. While some sites within this locale may have good local access, access to other sites is likely to be difficult.
Local services are likely to be fair.
The climate is hot, with occasional severe storms. Canada Coast A campaign in the Northwest United States over several winter months would provide a test of the ability of circulation models to simulate the response of clouds to orographic inhomogeneity. Wintertime nimbostratus also occurs significantly more frequently on the seaward slopes of the mountains. For these reasons, such a campaign should be considered by the ARM community. The locale is easily accessible.