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CAREER: Understanding Florida Sea-Breeze Convection Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence

Awarded

2702383Grant

Contract Overview

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AI Contract Overview

The National Science Foundation has issued an award for a project titled CAREER: Understanding Florida Sea-Breeze Convection Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence. This initiative focuses on investigating the small-scale atmospheric conditions that trigger sea-breeze thunderstorms in Florida, specifically testing the hypothesis that temperature profiles, boundary layer temperatures, and inversion layer strength dictate precipitation intensity, lightning rates, and convective depth. By utilizing an interpretable AI framework alongside traditional statistical tools, the study aims to uncover non-linear relationships governing these weather events to improve the forecasting of flash flooding and lightning. To achieve these goals, the researcher will develop a multi-platform convective database integrating satellite lightning data, environmental data, and operational radar data from the National Weather Service and a 2022 field campaign. Beyond the scientific objectives, the project is designed to enhance public safety for residents and tourists and support economic sectors like aviation and agriculture. Additionally, the award emphasizes broader impacts through public outreach and the training of students in AI-fluent methodologies.

General Info

NSF award using AI and remote sensing to improve Florida sea-breeze thunderstorm forecasting.

Agency

National Science Foundation → GEO - Core Programs

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Place of Performance

Not specified

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

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Timeline

PhaseAwarded

PostedOct 22

Award Notice

AwardedOct 28

Contract was awarded

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyNational Science Foundation → GEO - Core Programs

Contacts1 person available

OfficeN/A

Organization / AgencyNational Science Foundation → GEO - Core Programs

Office AddressN/A

Contacts

Nicholas AndersonProgram Officer

contact@example.gov

+1 (555) 000-0000

Full Description

Sea-breeze thunderstorms occur in warm, coastal regions due to the difference in heating of land and water surfaces. While the basic sea-breeze process is well-known, the details of why some days with seemingly similar conditions produce strong, weak, or no storms is less understood. This award provides funding for a combined observational and Interpretable Artificial Intelligence (AI) study of the specific, small-scale atmospheric conditions that promote sea-breeze events in Florida. More reliable forecasting of sea-breeze thunderstorms and their associated hazards of flash flooding and lightning will directly benefit public safety for millions of Florida residents and tourists, while also supporting critical economic sectors such as agriculture, aviation, and outdoor recreation. The project also involves training the next generation of AI-fluent students and conducting public outreach. This award aims to address the hypothesis that the temperature profile - specifically, inversion layer strength and boundary layer temperature - controls the convective depth, precipitation intensity, and lightning flash rate of Florida sea-breeze storms. Further, the researcher will investigate whether an interpretable AI framework is necessary to move beyond statistics and discover the fundamental, non-linear relationships that govern the sea-breeze thunderstorms. The project will make use of operational radar data from the National Weather Service, focused radar data from a 2022 field campaign, satellite-measured lightning data, and environmental data to construct a multi-platform convective database. That database will then be analyzed using traditional and AI tools to elucidate environmental controls and governing dynamics of sea-breeze convection. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.