Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder

Chen Zhang

Atmospheric rivers (AR) are one conspicuous pathway for poleward moisture transport from lower latitudes. They have been known to influence Arctic warming and sea ice decline in the boreal winter. Likewise, cyclones play an important role in the Arctic climate: Arctic cyclones strongly interact with the diminishing sea ice. While over the Arctic, the dynamic and physical process of how Arctic cyclones influence ARs and the associated sea ice effects are still missing in the literature. Thus, Chen Zhang will work with Profs. John Cassano, Mark Serreze, and Matthew Shupe use reanalysis and MOSAiC data to provide a comprehensive dynamic/thermodynamic analysis to quantify the influence of Arctic cyclones’ dominant physical factors on ARs and the associated sea ice evolution via the subsequent surface radiative budgets. Such physical understanding will lead to improved cyclone and AR predictions in the changing climate and bridge a knowledge gap in Arctic amplification. 

 

View Publications

  • Karnauskas KB; Zhang L; Amaya DJ. (Jan 2021). The Atmospheric Response to North Atlantic SST Trends, 1870-2019. Geophysical Research Letters , 48(2). 10.1029/2020GL090677
  • Hammer MS; van Donkelaar A; Li C; Lyapustin A; Sayer AM; Hsu NC; Levy RC; Garay MJ; Kalashnikova O; Kahn RA. (Jul 2020). Global Estimates and Long-Term Trends of Fine Particulate Matter Concentrations (1998-2018). Environmental Science and Technology (Washington) , 54(13), 7879-7890. 10.1021/acs.est.0c01764
  • Gao C; Zhang R-H; Karnauskas KB; Zhang L; Tian F. (Apr 2020). Separating freshwater flux effects on ENSO in a hybrid coupled model of the tropical Pacific. Climate Dynamics , 54(11-12), 4605-4626. 10.1007/s00382-020-05245-y
  • Samanta D; Rajagopalan B; Karnauskas KB; Zhang L; Goodkin NF. (Jan 2020). La Nina's Diminishing Fingerprint on the Central Indian Summer Monsoon. Geophysical Research Letters , 47(2). 10.1029/2019GL086237