Welcome! Our current research focuses on the
dynamics of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and other severe
convective storms. MCSs are common throughout the Americas, and they
account for both a large fraction of the growing-season precipitation in
the central Plains and a disproportionate number of the flash floods that
affect our society. We are investigating non-traditional MCS archetypes
with the aim of improving our understanding of and ability to predict
various recurring MCS modes. For example, we have learned about convective
lines with leading and parallel precipitation by combining observations and idealized
modeling. Our current efforts at NCSU include studies of particularly
well-observed non-traditional MCSs from the BAMEX field program and of
severe wind-producing MCSs, as well as numerical experiments studying convection in increasingly "life-like" environments: elevated storms, storms along fronts, and storms that evolve differently in seemingly similar environments.
Related topics of interest include the effects of gravity waves on the environments of convective systems, and the impacts of interesting wind and thermodynamic profiles upon supercells and tornadogenesis.
We are also continuing to work on the statistical properties of convection and convective initiation, including cell identification and tracking, eastern U.S. modes of variability, and convective initiation along the eastern sea breeze front.
We have also recently investigated the possible effects of swaths of crop damage upon subsequent
convective initiation and maintenance. Finally, we are now beginning a pilot study of tornadoes in landfalling tropical cyclones.
To pursue these research goals, we utilize idealized
numerical simulations (with the benefit of NCSU's supercomputer facilities)
as well as observations from the National Weather Service (e.g. Doppler
radar data) and field projects (e.g. BAMEX).
What's New: (current and recent students in bold)
Kiefer, M. T., M. D. Parker, and J. J. Charney, 2008: A numerical modeling study of dry convective regimes above wildland fires. The `88 Fires: Yellowstone and Beyond, 22-27 September 2008, Jackson Hole, WY.
Baker, A.K., M.D. Parker, and M.D. Eastin, 2008: Environmental ingredients for supercells and tornadoes within Hurricane Ivan. Wea. Forecasting, submitted.
French, A.J., and M.D. Parker, 2008: The initiation and evolution of multiple modes of convection within a meso-alpha scale region. Wea. Forecasting, in press.
Parker, M.D., 2008: Response of simulated squall lines to low-level cooling. J. Atmos. Sci., 65, 1323-1341.
Kiefer, M. T., Y.-L. Lin, and J. J. Charney, 2008: A study of two-dimensional dry convective plume modes with variable critical level height. J. Atmos. Sci., 65, 448-469.
Parker, M.D. and D.A. Ahijevych, 2007: Convective episodes in the east-central United States. Mon. Wea. Rev., 135, 3707-3727.
Parker, M.D., 2007: Response of convective storms to low-level cooling. Fourth European Conference on Severe Storms, 10-14 September 2007, Trieste, Italy.
Baranowski, B.C., M.D. Parker, and B.A. Storm, 2007: Gravity waves trapped under the leading anvil of an MCS during BAMEX. 12th AMS Conference on Mesoscale Processes, 6-9 August 2007, Waterville Valley, NH.
Kiefer, M. T., Y.-L. Lin, and J. J. Charney, 2007: Regimes of dry and moist convective plumes above forest fires: Idealized numerical simulations and dimensional analysis. 12th AMS Conference on Mesoscale Processes, 6-9 August 2007, Waterville Valley, NH.
Parker, M.D., 2007: Response of simulated squall lines to low-level cooling. 12th AMS Conference on Mesoscale Processes, 6-9 August 2007, Waterville Valley, NH.
Parker, M.D. and D.A. Ahijevych, 2007: Convective episodes in the east-central United States. 12th AMS Conference on Mesoscale Processes, 6-9 August 2007, Waterville Valley, NH.
Storm, B.A., M.D. Parker, and D.P. Jorgensen, 2007: A convective line with leading stratiform precipitation from BAMEX. Mon. Wea. Rev., 135, 1769-1785.
Parker, M.D., 2007: Simulated convective lines
with parallel stratiform precipitation. I: An archetype for convection in
along-line shear. J. Atmos. Sci., 64, 267-288.
Parker, M.D., 2007: Simulated convective lines
with parallel stratiform precipitation. II: Governing dynamics and associated
sensitivities. J. Atmos. Sci., 64, 289-313.
Billings, J.M., and M.D. Parker, 2006: Evolution and maintenance of the 22-23 June 2003 nocturnal convection during BAMEX. 23rd Conference on Severe Local Storms, 6-10 November 2006, St. Louis, MO.
French, A.J., and M.D. Parker, 2006: Multiple modes of convection in moderate-to-high shear environments. 23rd Conference on Severe Local Storms, 6-10 November 2006, St. Louis, MO.
Houston, A.L., and M.D. Parker, 2006: Precipitation-independent supercell tornadogenesis. 23rd Conference on Severe Local Storms, 6-10 November 2006, St. Louis, MO.
Parker, M.D., 2006: Idealized simulations of nocturnal severe wind-producing convective systems. 23rd Conference on Severe Local Storms, 6-10 November 2006, St. Louis, MO.
Bryan, G.H., J.C. Knievel, and M.D. Parker, 2006:
A multi-model assessment of RKW Theory's relevance to squall line characteristics. Mon. Wea. Rev., 134, 2772-2792.
Kuchera, E.L., and M.D. Parker, 2006:
Severe convective wind environments. Wea. Forecasting, 21, 595-612.
Parker, M.D., 2006: Adiabatic lapse rates in tornadic environments.
Special Symposium on the Challenges of Severe Convective Storms, 29 January - 2 February 2006, Atlanta, GA.
