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Publications in VIVO

Friedrich, Katja

Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • My research focuses on investigating kinematic and microphysical processes in orographic precipitation and tornadic thunderstorms and how these processes affect precipitation characteristics, precipitation quantity, and the development of severe weather. In particular, I am interested in studying how the interaction between kinematics and microphysics at small spatial scales (100 m to 5 km) influence precipitation enhancement that will lead to flash floods and tornadoes. In addition I am also studying precipitation variability and the linkage to atmospheric circulation for assessing the impact of climate change on precipitation in mountains and validating regional and global climate models. My particular area of expertise deals with remote-sensing and precipitation instruments in particular surface and airborne radars, satellites, disdrometers, vertical-pointing microwave radars, and rain gauges.

keywords

  • mesoscale meteorology, microphysics, clouds, wind, supercell thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, orographic precipitation, winter storms, kinematic and microphysical processes, radar, disdrometers, cloud seeding

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • ATOC 1050 - Weather and the Atmosphere
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2022
    Introduces principles of modern meteorology for nonscience majors, with emphasis on scientific and human issues associated with severe weather events. Includes description, methods of prediction, and impacts of blizzards, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and firestorms.
  • ATOC 3050 - Principles of Weather
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Spring 2022
    Explores the processes that influence middle latitude weather including atmospheric thermodynamics, cloud and precipitation processes, atmospheric dynamics, air masses and fronts, and mid-latitude cyclones. Recitations and homework assignments will allow students to apply these concepts to real weather data through analysis of weather maps, thermodynamics diagrams and conceptual models. Recommended prerequisites: ATOC 1050 or ATOC major.
  • ATOC 3180 - Aviation Meteorology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Summer 2024
    Familiarizes students with a wide range of atmospheric behavior pertinent to air travel: rudiments of aerodynamics; aircraft stability and control; atmospheric circulation, vertical motion, turbulence and wind shear; fronts, clouds and storms. Recommended prerequisite: ATOC 1050 or ATOC major.
  • ATOC 4020 - Seminar in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2021
    Explores current research areas; students read selected papers, give presentations and participate in discussions; fellowship and internship opportunities; discussion on practical skills necessary for academic and professional life; career-building activities with outside speakers from academia and industry. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours within the degree as long as the topic is different. May be repeated for a total of 3 credit hours within a semester.
  • ATOC 4500 - Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Upper Division
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2019
    Acquaints students at the upper division level with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours within the degree as long as the topic is different. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Recommended restriction: students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
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