The Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS) at The University of Oklahoma (OU) was established in 1978 to promote research collaboration between NOAA (OAR and NWS) and OU. CIMMS provides a center where government and academic scientists may work together to learn about and apply their knowledge of mesoscale weather and regional-scale climate processes. CIMMS' NOAA research partners in Norman, Oklahoma, include the OAR National Severe Storms Laboratory, NWS Radar Operations Center for the WSR-88D (NEXRAD) Program, NWS/NCEP Storm Prediction Center, NWS Warning Decision Training Branch, and the NWS Norman Weather Forecast Office, plus the NWS Training Center in Kansas City. CIMMS concentrates its research on the following principal five themes: (1) weather radar research and development (2) stormscale/mesoscale modeling research and development; (3) forecast and warning improvements research and development; (4) impacts of climate change related to extreme weather events; and (5) societal and socioeconomic impacts of high impact weather systems. CIMMS research activity primarily assists NOAA in achieving two of its Next Generation Strategic Plan Long-Term Goals: (a) Weather Ready Nation: Society is prepared for and responds to weather-related events; and (b) Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: An informed society anticipating and responding to climate and its impacts. Thus, CIMMS represents a considerable part of the spectrum of NOAA’s Enterprise-Wide Capabilities in Science and Technology, Engagement, and Organization and Administration.
On Demand Severe Weather Verification System, part of the NSSL/CIMMS Warning Decision Support System – Integrated Information (WDSS-II) Multi-Radar/Multi Sensor platform. Here, it depicts rotation tracks during the 27-28 April 2011 tornado outbreak in the southeastern U.S. This system is seeing use for storm verification and emergency reconnaissance purposes.