This report contains speakers' abstracts as presented at the workshop on Numerical Modeling and Physical Reality held at the Mesa Laboratory of NCAR on September 3-5, 1997 and one in a series of workshops presented by the Geophysical Turbulence Program (GTP) of the Advanced Study Program which includes: Opening Remarks /Boon Chye Low Simulation Geophysical Fluid Phenomena /Jim McWilliams Reality and Numerical Simulations in Astrophysics /Annick Pouquet The Role of Statistical Thinking in Physical Modeling /Mark Berliner Issues in Fluid Mechanics and Meteorology /Roger Temam The Use (and Abuse) of Models in Data Assimilation /Ron Errico Model Validation: Regional Oxidant Model and Ozone Data /Doug Nychka Tropospheric Chemistry and Urban Air Quality /Sandy Sillman Turbulent Flows in Plant Canopies /John Finnigan Reality and Models in the Atmosphere and Climate /Robert Sadourny The Water Vapor Feedback /Richard Lindzen Strategy and Tactics of Engineering Turbulence / Peter Bradshaw Challenges in Bridging LES and Physical Reality/Charles Meneveau