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Science Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences

Understanding tropical cyclone links with Indian Ocean variability

3D Render of a Topographic Map of the Northwest Coast of Australia with the clouds from April 14, 2023. Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa approaching Western Australia.All source data is in the public domain.Cloud texture: Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS) courtesy of NASA, VIIRS data courtesy of NOAA.https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/eosdis/science-system-description/eosdis-components/gibsColor texture: Made with Natural Earth.http://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/10m-raster-data/10m-cross-blend-hypso/Relief texture: GMTED 2010 data courtesy of USGS. URL of source image:https://topotools.cr.usgs.gov/gmted_viewer/viewer.htmWater texture: SRTM Water Body SWDB: https://dds.cr.usgs.gov/srtm/version2_1/SWBD/

Synopsis

Tropical cyclones around Australia tend to become more frequent during La Niña events. Less is known about how the Indian Ocean temperatures can modulate the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones near Australia. The project aims to explore whether there is a link between the Indian Ocean sea surface temperature variability and tropical cyclones in the Australian sector and how this relationship is simulated in climate models. The project involves managing a substantial amount of climate model output that has been generated with specific conditions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Aims

Understand whether and how Indian Ocean sea surface temperature affects the characteristics of tropical cyclones near Australia.

We’re looking for a student with:

  • Background in maths, physics, or related areas.
  • Desired skill to deal with large data sets.

Student benefits

The student will gain experience in managing large model output, applying statistical methods to climate data, and will acquire knowledge of Australian meteorology and climate.

Supervisor: Andrea Taschetto

Get involved

To learn more about this project, contact Associate Professor Andrea Taschetto

·¡:  a.taschetto@unsw.edu.au