Erin Thomas recently defended her PhD study. Her research focuses on understanding the complex interactions between El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and numerous oceanic and atmospheric phenomena. These phenomena complicate our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for generating ENSO diversity and make it very difficult to predict ENSO events. Her research utilizes statistical and physical modeling to identify both observationally-grounded and physically meaningful mechanisms that influence the development of ENSO events.

Steve Vavrus’ research was featured in The New Yorker in a story about the relationship between a warming Arctic and extreme weather.

Steve Vavrus was interviewed for the PBS Newshour about the relationship between Arctic warming and cold, snowy winters in the United States.

Professor Tristan L’Ecuyer was selected by the Office for the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education as a 2018 Romnes Fellow.  The fellowship is named in honor of Haakon Ingolf (H.I.) Romnes, late Trustee and President of the WARF Board. A lifelong friend of the University, his entire career was characterized by integrity, self-discipline and the ability to accomplish monumental tasks while preserving the full support and admiration of all who came to know him. With this fellowship, the University recognizes Tristan’s academic success and provides an opportunity for continued development of an outstanding research program.

NASA announced two new investigations to better understand the energy balance of the Arctic, which contributes to Arctic warming, sea ice loss, and ice-sheet melting. These two were chosen from 14 projects and one of them, called PREFIRE, is led by L'Ecuyer. "UW–Madison is the science lead on a NASA mission that will use Cubesat technology to measure, for the first time, fluctuations in Arctic radiant energy. The Arctic, known as Earth’s thermostat, regulates climate by venting excess energy received in the tropics," L'Ecuyer says.

The Nelson Institute’s Center for Climatic Research (CCR) carries a 55-year history of scientific contributions toward understanding the processes and variations of our climate system for the betterment of society.  Shared concerns and passions for the earth are unifying, and the opportunity for research is proceeding at all levels of the university.

Professor Dan Vimont was selected by the Office for the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education as a 2018 Vilas Associate.  The Vilas Associates Competition recognizes new and ongoing research of the highest quality and significance.  Recipients are chosen competitively by the Divisional Research Committees of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education on the basis of a detailed proposal.  Professor Vimont’s proposal aims to better understand the processes that contribute to seasonal hurricane predictability in the Atlantic.