Guidebook to the National Science Foundation’s Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities

The Earth Observing Laboratory’s Guidebook to the National Science Foundation’s Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) provides text, video, infographics, maps, timelines, and downloadable content to learn about each of the available lower research facilities and the extraordinary support services that go with them. You will also find out how to request these state-of-the-art platforms and instruments for your own field research.


The LAOF platforms and instruments will continue to play an integral role in taking geosciences research to the next level. These cutting-edge facilities, which include aircraft, radars, lidars, and surface and sounding systems, are available to all qualified researchers at no extra cost to their scientific grant.


Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL), along with two partner organizations— the University of Wyoming (UWYO) and the Center for Severe Weather Research (CSWR)—manages and operates the LAOF.