The Mesoscale Dynamics Section
The Mesoscale Dynamics Section studies atmospheric phenomena that have horizontal scales of 1 to 100 kilometers, including thunderstorms, mesoscale convective systems, extratropical cyclones, tropical cyclones (hurricanes), mountain waves, and sea breezes. Scientists in the Mesoscale Dynamics Section employ a combination of theory, observations, and numerical simulation to advance the understanding of these weather phenomena, and apply this knowledge to benefit research and societal needs. State-of-the-art numerical models developed by the Mesoscale Dynamics Section include the Advanced Research WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model, the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS), and the Eulerian-Lagrangian (EULAG) model.
| Name | Title | Interests | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Ahijevych | Associate Scientist | Mesoscale and radar meteorology, tropical cyclones, statistical weather forecasting | ahijevyc@ucar.edu 303 497 8922 |
| George Bryan | Scientist | Mesoscale convective systems, tropical cyclones, numerical modeling | gbryan@ucar.edu 303 497 8989 |
| Chris Davis | Senior Scientist | Tropical cyclones, balanced dynamics of mesoscale systems, model verification | cdavis@ucar.edu 303 497 8990 |
| Joe Klemp | Senior Scientist - Section Head | Numerical models, gravity current dynamics, moist convection | klemp@ucar.edu 303 497 8902 |
| Rich Rotunno | Senior Scientist and MMM Director | Mesoscale dynamical meterology | rotunno@ucar.edu 303 497 8904 |
| Pitor Smolarkiewicz | Senior Scientist | Scientific computing, geophysical flows, non-newtonian fluids | smolar@ucar.edu 303 497 8972 |
| Stan Trier | Project Scientist | mesoscale convective systems, aviation turbulence, land-atmosphere interactions | trier@ucar.edu 303 497 8912 |
| Morris Weisman | Senior Scientist | Moist convection, severe weather, bow-echoes | weisman@ucar.edu 303 497 8901 |
| Casuals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Title | Interests | Contact |
| John Tuttle | Associate Scientist | Mesoscale precipitation systems | tuttle@ucar.edu |
| Long-Term Visitors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Title | Interests | Contact |
| Zbigniew Piotrowski | Post-Doc | Numerical methods, convection | piotrows@ucar.edu 303 497 8206 |
| Brian Tang | Post-Doc | Tropical cyclogenesis, tropical cyclone intensity, moist convection | btang@ucar.edu 303 497 8981 |
| Jonathan Vigh | Project Scientist | Hurricanes, tropical meteorology, geophysical vortices | jvigh@ucar.edu 303 497 8205 |
- Hurricane prediction: advancing the accuracy of hurricane forecasts through theoretical studies, participation in field programs, and real-time numerical weather prediction with WRF (ARW)
- Mesoscale precipitating weather systems: understanding precipitation patterns and flooding caused by mesoscale organized cloud systems such as tropical cyclones, squall lines, mesoscale convective systems, and other manifestations of organized moist atmospheric convection.
- Mesoscale predictability: studies of the limits on predictability of mesoscale weather systems examined from multiple perspectives including theory, idealized simulations, and real-time numerical weather prediction
- Numerical model development: development of numerical modeling systems such as WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model, Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS), EULAG (Eulerian-Lagrangian) model
- Real-time cloud-scale numerical weather prediction: numerical model forecasts of severe storms and hurricanes using WRF in real time
- Severe local storms: understanding high-impact weather systems, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, with the aim of improving their prediction for societal benefit