Research

Mid-latitude ocean-weather interactions

The extent to which the mid-latitude ocean impacts the atmosphere is a contentious issue within the scientific community. The traditional viewpoint is that the ocean is somewhat passive in terms of its influence on atmospheric variability. In recent years however, improved datasets and models have hinted at a greater oceanic role. Because the ocean varies on a much longer timescale than the atmosphere, finding even a modest increase in oceanic forcing can lead to significant predictability potential for extreme weather phenomena. We are particularly interested in unlocking this potential by providing a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of interaction. In the US specifically, we are focused on the relationship between the Gulf Stream and Nor’Easters, intense frontal systems that can cause severe coastal flooding and blizzard-like conditions across much of the Eastern Seaboard.

Climate variability and change

We have a broad interest in the mechanisms and drivers of large-scale climate variability on a variety of different timescales. Our research ranges from the present-day to variability across the past millennium and in future warming climate scenarios. We are also highly invested in the socio-economic implications of such variability and change, and how a better physical understanding can help us prepare against extremes in weather and climate. Some current research projects include rainfall variability across Australia and New Zealand (which have both seen severe drought in recent years), atmospheric drivers of high Greenland melt events, and using tree-ring data to inform on climate variability in the Northeastern US across the past few centuries.

High-resolution climate modelling

In order to try and develop a better understanding of the Earth system, scientists use climate models to simulate the motions of the atmosphere and ocean. These models can vary dramatically in complexity, from simple box models to fully coupled general circulation models. Over time, the continual improvement of our observational networks and computing resources have allowed for a dramatic increase in the resolution with which we are able to run such models. In theory, this should allow for the impact of finer-scale processes to be simulated that were previously absent. Our research group regularly employs data from a suite of climate models of varying resolution in order to investigate and understand the impact of these finer-scale processes on the wider climate system.