Aircraft Turbulence: Clear Air/Convectively Induced Turbulence: We use high-resolution in situ aircraft measurements to investigate clear-air and convectively induced turbulence in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Our work focuses on turbulence intensity, intermittency, anisotropy, gravity-wave interactions and the dynamical mechanisms that generate hazardous conditions at flight level. This research is carried out in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), using observations from research aircraft including HALO and the DLR Falcon.
Polar Clouds, Mixing & Turbulence: This is the observational branch of our research in polar and subpolar environments. We investigate turbulent mixing, supersaturation, cloud–turbulence interactions and moisture-driven processes, including the influence of Antarctic atmospheric rivers (AARs), under strong stratification and extreme thermodynamic conditions. Our main field bases are Marambio Station, Antarctica, and VAG-Ushuaia in southern Patagonia, where we conduct dedicated radiosonde and atmospheric measurement campaigns.
Direct Numerical Simulations: Direct numerical simulations allow us to isolate fundamental mechanisms that cannot be separated easily in atmospheric observations. We use the GHOST pseudospectral code to study stratified and rotating turbulence, anisotropy, mixing, passive-scalar transport and scale interactions, and to connect idealized turbulent dynamics with structures observed in the atmosphere.
Forecast Verification & Applications: We evaluate turbulence-detection methods and numerical weather prediction products against observations, with particular emphasis on polar regions and the Antarctic Peninsula. Current work examines how moisture, atmospheric structure and AAR-related environments are represented in ECMWF turbulence products, and how these diagnostics can improve turbulence detection, forecast verification and operational interpretation.
