In this project, we seek to utilise 40 years of observations of water vapour profiles from the global radiosonde network to improve our process level understanding of water vapour mixing. The applicant is expected to know the basics of atmospheric physics and statistics. Some knowledge of data processing tools will be an advantage.
This project will examine ‘mixed teleconnections’ using coupled climate models. In particular, we will examine how El Nino and La Nina events can affect western boundary currents in the Pacific and Indian basin. It will involve using large model and observational datasets and require a background in either MATLAB or python. Some experience with linux is desirable.
This project will use one or more simplified climate model(s) to investigate the importance of the tropical stratosphere in modulating the effects of ENSO and the MJO on Southern Hemisphere climate. It can either involve the actual model setup and running, model output analysis, the review of current scientific knowledge and hypotheses, or a combination of these.
This project provides an exciting opportunity to develop the longest homogenised daily climate record for Perth using newly digitised observations beginning in 1830. The project will involve working with BoM staff to conduct state-of-the-art quality control measures on the new historical observations to allow a reliable, long-term analysis of extremes and their possible dynamical causes.
Despite the improvement in our understanding, numerical models and observations, El Nino events have dramatic impacts on climate and extreme weather around the globe. This project will further study the nature of this stochastic forcing and its relationship to background SSTs.
Satellites measure surface winds relative to the moving ocean surface, while ocean moorings measure absolute winds at that location. This project will make use of both measuring methods to better understand the role of surface currents in these differences and whether they can be reconciled.
This project will see the student utilising methods previously applied to the investigation of heatwaves to improve our understanding of cold-air outbreaks over Australia, attempting to answer questions on the structure, development and termination of these events.
In this project, you will investigate the atmospheric dynamics associated with the onset of the monsoon, for example, the influence of mid-latitude and tropical disturbances. You will gain useful and transferable skills in data analysis and programming, as well as an opportunity to contribute to an active area of research in Australian weather and climate science.
The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the drivers of seasonal climate extremes over Australia, with a focus on the potential role of tropical ocean basins. The student researcher will use a range of observations and climate model outputs to examine the variability of extreme temperature and rainfall across Australia.
This project will investigate the lifecycle of hail storms through the application of a storm-tracking algorithm. Characteristics such as storm size, velocity, and intensity will be examined for severe hail storms and compared to those for non-severe storms.