Atmospheric Dynamics

A challenge for meteorologists is to accurately forecast mesoscale precipitation patterns for periods of 12 to 24 hours. Banded, heavy snowfall regions in coastal storms and summmertime deep convective precipitation over the Great Plains are prime examples. Our skill in forecasting these systems leaves much to be desired. My research aims at providing forecasters with practical tools that enable them to anticipate these events.

I like to ask and address basic aspects of the atmospheric phenomena that I believe to be important and interesting. That is, my research is about how and why, and not so much about what. Accordingly, my general research approach is to form hypothesis for a mechanism, and to test the hypothesis. But at the same time, (I believe) my students enjoy a high level of intellectual freedom in the sense that they are strongly encouraged to challenge my ideas! As a research tool, I use relatively simple numerical models, observations, and analytical approaches. More information.

Everyone has a little chaos in their lives, but chaos--sensitive dependence on initial conditions--is intrinsic to atmospheric motions as well. Although chaos theory is usually applied to predictability studies assessing how long a numerical forecast of the atmosphere might be usable, chaos theory can also be used to guide assessments of the validity of atmospheric measurements or the contributions of large eddy motions to the transport of heat and momentum in the boundary layer. Learn more about such exciting applications of chaos theory in the papers listed in the link to the right. More information.

Observational and diagnostic studies of turbulence and mesoscale weather systems, forecast technique development and implementation.

Meteorology is about knowing what the atmosphere does, while dynamics is about understanding why.  The two are linked as one, the weather providing an endless string of fascinating problems and dynamics the tools to solve them.  From this wealth, I choose to study the interaction of mesoscale phenomena with the boundary layer, terrain, and convection.  My tools of choice are observations, models, applied mathematics, and fluid dynamics. More information.