The project is centered around developing and applying coupled mesoscale atmospheric/ocean/ice models for the Antarctic Katabatic system. Both numerical and analytical models are being utilized. Full physics high order numerical models are being employed to stimulate the complex coupled systems to calculate fluxes and circulations; the results of which can then be compared to GCM's. Analytical and low order models are used to interpret and understand physical processes and the behavior of the system.

The over-arching hypothesis of this study is that mesoscale atmospheric processes are not well represented or resolved in current generation GCM's and that these processes have an important impact on the earth climate system. Thus, the approach taken is to evaluate the role topographic and land/sea contrasts have on the atmosphere/ocean/ice and biological systems by examining details of the system using high resolution, high level physic models.