CAREER: Dynamics of African Easterly Waves: Integrating Phenomenological Studies and Mathematical Instruction in Atmospheric Science

该奖项是根据《2009年美国复苏和再投资法》(公法111-5)资助的。该项目旨在利用广泛的数据集研究非洲东风波(AEW)的起源和风暴路径动力学，包括来自最近现场活动的数据集和一系列数值模拟，以改进目前本科生大气科学课程的数学教学模式。该项目的科学部分涵盖两个领域：非洲东风急流的非模式和随机强迫(AEJ)起源和非洲东风急流在流向变化波导中的演变。具体地说，研究人员将(A)通过使用随机强迫模式的观测和数值模拟的系统分析来研究关键的动力学问题，(B)从分散Rossby波包和孤立的非线性扰动的角度来考察AEW在流向变化的波导中的演变，并且还将调查AEW的非线性历史是否对热带气旋(TC)的发生具有预测价值，以及(C)考察热带气旋(TC)发生后AEW的成因演变，并调查TC波分离过程中发生的一系列过程。本项目的教育部分解决了一个长期存在的问题，即大气科学学生在数学准备方面的空白。它设想(A)改进对学生的指导，以优化他们的数学教学，(B)与数学教师建立合作，提供基于背景的教学，以及(C)在大气科学课程中综合数学方法中的数学和大气概念。这个项目的更广泛的影响是教育，并提高我们对气旋预警起源和复杂环境中的演化的理解，从而有助于增强对气旋预警的起源及其可预测性的理解。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).This project aims to investigate African easterly wave (AEW) origin and storm track dynamics using a wide range of datasets including those from recent field campaigns and a hierarchy of numerical simulations in order to improve the current paradigm for mathematical instruction in the undergraduate atmospheric science curriculum.The science component of this project covers two areas: AEW origin from non-modal and stochastic forcing of the African easterly jet (AEJ) and AEW evolution within a streamwise varying waveguide. Specifically, the investigator would (a) investigate key dynamic issues through a systematic analysis of observations and numerical simulations using stochastically forced models, (b) examine the evolution of AEWs in a streamwise varying waveguide from the perspective of dispersing Rossby wave packets as well as isolated nonlinear disturbances, and also investigate whether AEW history of nonlinearity holds a predictive value for tropical cyclone (TC) genesis, and (c) examine the post-TC genesis evolution of AEWs and investigate the range of processes that occur during the TC-wave decoupling.The education component of this project addresses a long-standing issue regarding gaps in the mathematical preparation of atmospheric science students. It envisions (a) improved guidance to students for optimizing their mathematical instruction, (b) forging collaboration with mathematics faculty to provide context-based instruction, and (c) synthesizing math and atmospheric concepts in mathematical methods in an atmospheric science course. Broader impacts of this project are educational and in improving our understanding of AEW origin and evolution within a complex environment and thus contributing to an enhanced understanding of TC genesis from AEWs and its predictability.