page_title: Project NIMROD
hierarchical_section_title: Project NIMROD
caption_attribution_description: NASA artist's rendering of a microburst. Many are invisible. http://oea.larc.nasa.gov/trailblazer/SP-4216/photos/p60a.JPG
context_page_description: Project NIMROD was meteorological field study of severe thunderstorms and their damaging winds. It was conducted in the region of the Greater Chicago, Illinois, United States, from 15 May through 30 June 1978. Data collected were from single cell thunderstorms as well as mesoscale convective systems, such as bow echoes. Using Doppler weather radars and damage clues on the ground, the team studied mesocyclones, downbursts and gust fronts. NIMROD was the first time that microbursts, very localized strong downdrafts under thunderstorms, were detected which help improve airport and public safety by the development of systems like the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar and the Low-level windshear alert system.
context_section_description: Project NIMROD (Northern Illinois Meteorological Research On Downburst) was meteorological field study of severe thunderstorms and their damaging winds. It was conducted in the region of the Greater Chicago, Illinois, United States, from 15 May through 30 June 1978. Data collected were from single cell thunderstorms as well as mesoscale convective systems, such as bow echoes. Using Doppler weather radars and damage clues on the ground, the team studied mesocyclones, downbursts and gust fronts. NIMROD was the first time that microbursts, very localized strong downdrafts under thunderstorms, were detected which help improve airport and public safety by the development of systems like the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar and the Low-level windshear alert system.
caption: Danger to aviation by microbursts.
exif: {}