David Knight

Introduction Publications

My general interests are: Mesoscale and synoptic scale dynamics; role of mountains on atmospheric flow; numerical weather prediction; use of computers in atmospheric science.

My research interests are in the synoptic and mesoscale processes that result in "weather." In particular, my current interests include the role of moisture and inhomogeneities of the Earth's surface in forcing and modifying mesoscale circulations. This includes phenomena such as orographic and frontal precipitation, terrain modification of frontal circulations, lee cyclogenesis, blocking of flow by mountains, formation of barrier jets, and cold-air damming. I'm also becoming increasing curious about how, and why, hurricanes develop.

I prefer to combine theoretical and observational methods to advancing our understanding of these phenomena. It is only by considering fairly simple situations that we can advance our understanding of complex observations. Extracting mesoscale information from the existing synoptic scale observational network is difficult and requires special care. This research relies heavily on numerical techniques since the equations that govern mesoscale dynamics are not yet analytically tractable. Atmospheric models are used to help understand the underlying physics behind a phenomenon rather than simulating specific observations. The use of a numerical model helps isolate physical processes occurring in nature and will narrow the gap between simple analytic models and more complicated observations.

I am also interested in the use of computers in atmospheric science. In particular how they can be utilized to visualize atmospheric structure and processes. Currently my primary responsibility in the Department is supervising the management of our UNIX computing facilities.