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Tropical Climate Dynamics Lab

About the Lab

Welcome to the tropical climate dynamics research group at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)! We are interested in atmospheric and oceanic processes in the tropics and their interactions with higher latitudes. We study a variety of topics, including the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), marine atmospheric boundary layer clouds, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), the Hadley circulation, equatorial waves, tropical cyclones, El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and tropical-extratropical interactions.  One of our primary goals is to improve understanding of observations of these complex phenomena using a hierarchy of models and observations. With this improved understanding, weather and climate prediction can be guided in the right direction.

We are also involved in science education and outreach, particularly at WHOI and in the local Cape Cod community. From bringing hands-on rotating tank climate science experiments to K–12 and college classrooms to mentoring middle- and high-school students and teachers on research projects, we strive to motivate a generation of future scientists.

NOAA GOES-17 imagery showing a double ITCZ, one ITCZ in each hemisphere, spanning the Pacific Ocean on 10 March 2018. Courtesy of NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) Team.

Recent News

Alex’s work on improving hurricane forecasts recognized by NOAA

By Alex Gonzalez | October 17, 2023

Alex’s work on deploying WHOI Argo floats and using the data to understand hurricane physics was recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). See more here: Meet the Early Career Ocean Scientists Working to Improve Hurricane Forecasts

Alex and WHOI team recognized by NOAA on their project aimed at improving hurricane forecasts

By Alex Gonzalez | September 29, 2023

https://globalocean.noaa.gov/meet-the-early-career-ocean-scientists-working-to-improve-hurricane-forecasts/

Alex conducts weather and climate experiments during Black Girls Dive event at WHOI

By Alex Gonzalez | August 2, 2023

In late July, Alex Gonzalez, along with WHOI scientists Magdalena Andres and Heather Furey, presented about the importance of atmosphere and ocean science on weather and climate to approximately 20 middle school and high school female divers from the Black Girls Dive Foundation (https://blackgirlsdivefoundation.org/). He also conducted a series of hands-on experiments demonstrating extratropical storms…

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