Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are narrow, elongated, synoptic jets of water vapor that play important roles in the global water cycle, regional weather/hydrology, and global climate. In terms of climate, ARs account for over 90% of the total poleward water vapor transport across mid-latitudes, yet only cover ~10% of the earth‘s circumference. A typical AR may carry as much water as 7-15 Mississippi Rivers, and there are typically three to five ARs in each hemisphere at any given time. Enhanced precipitation may occur when the moisture-laden ARs hit major landmasses, penetrate inland, and interact with the topography. In the western US and other water-stressed areas, ARs produce beneficial rain and snow that form a crucial source of freshwater, and can often break existing drought conditions. On the other hand, extreme precipitation associated with ARs can lead to floods and related damages. There are many outstanding challenges and questions needing to be addressed concerning ARs, such as prediction and predictability studies, in-depth weather/climate model evaluation, and regional/global societal impact studies. Our latest research involves extending the AR concept to extreme transports of aerosols and trace gases, and the associated role of these aerosol and trace gas rivers on climate and air quality. This opportunity is to join our research group at JPL and undertake and lead new studies on ARs.
For Reference, see:
Chakraborty, S., Guan, B., Waliser, D. E., Da Silva, A., Uluatam, S., & Hess, P. (2021). Extending the Atmospheric River Concept to Aerosols: Climate and Air Quality Impacts. Geophysical Research Letters, 48, e2020GL091827. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL091827
Guan, B., and Waliser, D. E. (2015), Detection of atmospheric rivers: Evaluation and application of an algorithm for global studies, J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 120, 12514- 12535, doi:10.1002/2015JD024257.
Ralph, F. Martin, Dettinger, M. D., Rutz, J. J., & Waliser, D. E. (n.d.). Atmospheric Rivers (2020th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28906-5
Waliser, D., Guan, B. Extreme winds and precipitation during landfall of atmospheric rivers. Nature Geosci 10, 179-183 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2894
Location:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California
Field of Science:Earth Science
Advisors:
Duane Waliser
duane.waliser@jpl.nasa.gov
(818) 393-4094
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
Eligibility is currently open to:
- U.S. Citizens;
- U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
- Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
- Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.
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