research: in the field : Heavy weather

Scientists from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Japan have
gathered in the South Island of New Zealand in search of bad weather. They are
part of a huge field experiment to measure how mountains influence weather and
climate. The project involves the CSIRO research aircraft, weather radar,
meteorological balloons and a network of automatic weather stations. The
three-week SALPEX (Southern Alps) experiment will conclude on 3 November. Data
collected will be used for several purposes from improving predictions of rain
and snowfall for the New Zealand hydroelectricity industry to testing computer
models of the impact of mountain systems on weather.