Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry

To develop general circulation models for understanding the interactive three-dimensional radiative-dynamical-chemical-hydrological structure of the climate system from the surface and troposphere to the upper stratosphere and mesosphere on various time and space scales

To employ meteorological observations in conjunction with models for diagnostic analyses of atmospheric processes, and for evaluating and improving parameterizations employed in weather and climate models.

To model the interactions between clouds, convection, radiation and large-scale dynamics and understand their roles in climate and climate change.

To model the physics, chemistry and transport of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols; to investigate the impact of future emissions on regional and global air quality; and to investigate the regional and global climatic effects due to changes in natural and anthropogenic radiatively-active species. Click to visit Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry.

Climate and Ecosystems

The Biospheric Processes group will work to understand the interactions and feedback of the earth's biosphere with its climate and assess the impact of natural variability and past, present, and future human activities. Click to visit Climate and Ecosystems.

Climate Diagnostics

To determine and evaluate the physical processes by which the earth's climate and the atmospheric and oceanic general circulations are maintained in the mean, and by which they change from year to year and from decade to decade, using all available observations.

To compare results of observational studies with similar diagnostic studies of model atmospheres and model oceans developed at GFDL and thereby develop a feedback to enhance understanding in both areas. Click to visit Climate Diagnostics.

Climate Change, Variability and Prediction

GFDL's Climate Dynamics and Prediction Group is charged with studying and modeling climate phenomena on seasonal to multi-century time scales. The group's work is highly relevant to key elements of of the NOAA Strategic Vision, especially Mission Goal 2 to "Understand climate variability and change to enhance society's ability to respond". You may learn more about NOAA's goals by viewing the PDF file entitled New Priorities for the 21st Century: NOAA's Strategic Vision. Click to visit Climate Change, Variability and Prediction.

Oceans and Climate

The primary goal of scientists in GFDL's Oceans and Climate Group is to provide fundamental understanding of the ocean's role in the earth's physical climate system and global biogeochemical cycles. Click to visit Oceans and Climate.

Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics

Improve our understanding of atmospheric circulations ranging in scale from hurricanes to extratropical storms and the general circulation, with an emphasis on extreme weather events and the interplay between weather phenomena and climate variability and change, using high resolution atmospheric modeling as the central tool. Click to visit Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics.