Charles Powell

Hi! I’m a post-doctoral research associate at the Institute for Computing in Climate Science and the Atmosphere & Ocean Dynamics group at the University of Cambridge, working with Dr. Alison Ming. I am also a Bye-Fellow and Director of Studies at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

I am interested in all aspects of atmospheric fluid dynamics, with a particular focus on troposphere-stratosphere coupling via convection and the Tropical Tropopause Layer (TTL). My PhD thesis used idealised numerical simulations to model turbulent transport, wave generation and hydration of the TTL by overshooting convection. The problem was modelled as a buoyant plume penetrating into a stratified layer. A review of the motivating atmospheric problem and four associated papers can be found here.

My current research deals with coupling between large-scale stratospheric dynamics, such as the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, and tropical convection patterns in the troposphere, such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation. The QBO is predictable on much longer timescales than the “weather” seen in the troposphere, meaning its tropospheric teleconnections have important implications for subseasonal-to-seasonal predictive skill. We use high-resolution aquaplanet simulations to develop mechanistic understanding of the coupling processes.

Beyond my research and teaching, my main pastimes are rowing (now, more coaching than rowing, and amateur meteorology/cloudspotting. See here for some neat cloud pictures.