Research Foci

Ensemble Kalman Filter Data Assimilation
Current efforts involve adapting an ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation system to ingest polarimetric radar observables. It is hoped this effort will lead toward improving storm-scale analyses by allowing for use of more advanced dual moment (prognostic number and mass concentrations) microphysical schemes within a data assimilation framework. Further details and project progress updates are posted to the Convective Modeling Group section on EnKF data assimilation.

Hurricane Opal (1995) Study
Key findings from the Hurricane Opal (1995) research project will be appearing in an upcoming issue of Monthly Weather Review. This paper focuses on fine-scale banding patterns noted within the simulation which appear to be analogous to observed patterns of fine-scale banding. The paper details possible banding mechanisms based on the forcing mechanisms extracted from the simulation results. Additonal areas of the project explored the convective environment of the outer rainbands - seeking to assess the predictability of outer hurricane rainband mini-supercells, which often can generate damaging tornadoes well away from the hurricane eyewall. More information on the Opal study is available online.

Scientific Visualization
While scientific visualization has broad applications within the atmospheric sciences, it is particularly useful in animating in time volumes of 3D gridded data, which can sometimes elucidate underlying kinematics in ways conventional analysis methods can fail. Beyond some of the more commonly used tools, I've previously experimented with the volume rendering application developed by David Porter of the LCSE. I also had the opportunity to work with NCSA's ETG along with fellow members of CMG on NOVA's Hunt for the Supertwister visualization and analysis effort.

Last updated 9/27/05