This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.
Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunitiesAbout the Project
Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) combines inhomogeneous quality controlled observations from diverse observing systems, with a short-range forecast using data assimilation, to produce the initial conditions for forecasts. However, given the sparse observations in the Arctic region and its seasonal variability, the extent of NWP’s capability of predicting Arctic cyclones on daily to weekly timescales is still an open question. Moreover, the dependency of the forecast quality of Arctic cyclones on large scale variability modes remains unresolved, e.g. the intensity of the Arctic Frontal Zone – a belt in the northern high latitude region of strong horizontal temperature gradients during the summer (Barry, 1967; Reed & Kunkel, 1960). Information on the quality of NWP forecasts of cyclones in the Arctic is crucially important to end users (e.g. coastal communities and MetOcean forecasting companies) and is becoming important to the insurance industry.
Research Questions:
1. How well are cyclones (synoptic and mesoscale) currently predicted in the Arctic?
2. How does the predictability of Arctic cyclones depend on season and large-scale modes of variability?
3. How does the predictability of Arctic cyclones depend on the observational network?
Methodology
In this project, the predictability of cyclones, on lead times of 0-15 days, in the Arctic and their sensitivity to the modes of variability will be explored using data from reforecasts (which provide a consistent view of forecast skill over a long period of time), Ensemble Prediction System and deterministic forecasts from ECMWF, and the Year of Polar Prediction forecast dataset that is designed specifically for investigating polar predictability. Forecast uncertainty will be explored using the ensemble forecasts. A cyclone tracking method, TRACK (Hodges, 1994), which was previously used to track extra-tropical and tropical cyclones in NWP data (Froude, Bengtsson, & Hodges, 2007; Hodges & Emerton, 2015), will be used to identify cyclones in the forecasts and analyses. This will then allow errors in the structure and growth of the cyclones to be studied and how they relate to forecast errors of track and intensity, as well as how this is dependent on season and modes of variability in different regions of the Arctic. Observing system experiments will be performed using the ECMWF system (in collaboration with Dr Jonny Day at ECMWF) that modifies the number and types of observations assimilated that provide the forecast initial conditions, e.g. removing radiosondes, satellite data, or YOPP’s additional assimilated observations. The sensitivity and quality of the forecasts in terms of the location, intensity and structure of the cyclones will be explored for these different experiments, thus allowing the information content of these observations in relation to Arctic cyclones to be determined.
To discuss this PhD opportunity informally please contact Dr Kevin Hodges ([Email Address Removed])
Funding Notes

Search Suggestions
Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.
Check out our other PhDs in Reading, United Kingdom
Check out our other PhDs in Applied Physics
Start a new search with our database of over 4,000 PhDs

PhD Suggestions
Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these.
Families and palliative care: How can we improve how families are supported when someone is dying?
University of Stirling
Understanding how molecules are delivered to biosurfaces from evaporating droplets
University of Warwick
Determining how immune responses are regulated at mucosal surfaces
The University of Manchester