Under the influence of a complex land-sea distribution and topography, atmospheric convection in the maritime continent (MC) region undergoes substantial multi-scale variability on the diurnal,…

The University of Utah's Office of Sponsored Projects was awarded a $492,767 research grant by a civilian federal agency effective September 1, 2021, with completion targeted for August 31, 2026. This non-set-aside grant supports research focused on understanding diurnal variation of precipitation and winds over the Maritime Continent region under the influence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) using satellite multi-sensor observations and cloud-permitting numerical simulations with ensemble-based data assimilation. The research addresses critical gaps in current understanding of atmospheric convection in this complex region, where the coarse resolution of global analysis products (exceeding 25 kilometers) and deficiencies in cumulus parameterization schemes prevent accurate representation of convective systems essential for weather and climate prediction.

The project directly addresses the Maritime Continent's barrier effect on the Madden-Julian Oscillation and the multi-scale variabilities in atmospheric convection occurring across diurnal, synoptic, intraseasonal, and seasonal timescales. By combining advanced satellite observations with high-resolution numerical modeling and data assimilation techniques, this research aims to improve understanding of processes governing these interactions, ultimately enhancing predictive capabilities for high-impact weather and climate systems in this meteorologically significant region.

Under the influence of a complex land-sea distribution and topography, atmospheric convection in the maritime continent (MC) region undergoes substantial multi-scale variability on the diurnal, synoptic, intraseasonal, and seasonal scales. Understanding the processes governing these multi-scale variabilities and interactions is essential for predicting high-impact weather and climate systems, especially the MC's barrier effect on the madden-julian oscillation (MJO). However, these processes are not well understood at present. Among the challenges, the available global analysis and reanalysis products cannot accurately represent detailed features of convective systems in the MC due to their coarse resolution (>25 KM) and deficiencies in cumulus parameterization schemes.