Faculty & Staff

Biography

Dr. Xiaomin Chen’s research focuses on different aspects of tropical cyclones, including rapid intensification, boundary layer processes, and numerical modeling and forecasts. His research is aimed at understanding the boundary layer processes that contribute to the intensity and structural changes of tropical cyclones. To achieve this goal, his current research utilizes a combination of manned and unmanned aircraft observations and turbulence-resolving large-eddy simulations to improve the modeling of boundary-layer processes in hurricane conditions. A recently developed boundary layer scheme has been implemented into NOAA’s next-generation hurricane forecast model, Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System.

Graduate Students Opportunities

Dr. Chen’s research group is admitting master or Ph.D. students in AES for Fall 2024 to study the following two research topics: 1) boundary layer transition during hurricane landfalls and 2) hurricane intensification under vertical wind shear. Please reach out to Dr. Chen for more information.

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Website

Honors & Awards

• Northern Gulf Institute Research Competitive Award, 2022
• Editor’s Award for Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 2021
• NOAA/AOML Outstanding Paper Award, 2021

Expertise

• Boundary layer parameterizations in high-wind conditions
• Tropical cyclone intensity change
• Numerical modeling (global, mesoscale, and LES models)

Recent Publications

• Chen, X., A. Hazelton, F. D. Marks, G. J. Alaka, and C. Zhang, 2023: Performance of an improved TKE-based eddy-diffusivity mass-flux (EDMF) PBL scheme in 2021 hurricane forecasts from Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System. Wea. Forecasting, in press.

  Fischer, M. S., P. D. Reasor, B. H. Tang, K. L. Corbosiero, R. D. Torn, and X. Chen, 2023: A tale of two vortex evolutions: Using a high-resolution ensemble to assess the impacts of ventilation on a tropical cyclone rapid intensification event. Mon. Wea. Rev., in press.

  Chen, X., 2022: How do planetary boundary layer schemes perform in hurricane conditions: A comparison with large‐eddy simulations. J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 14, e2022MS003088.

  Chen, X., G. H. Bryan, A. Hazelton, F. D. Marks, and P. Fitzpatrick, 2022: Evaluation and improvement of a TKE-based eddy-diffusivity mass-flux (EDMF) planetary boundary layer scheme in hurricane conditions. Wea. Forecasting, 37, 935-951.

  Chen, X. and G. H. Bryan, 2021: Role of advection of parameterized turbulence kinetic energy in tropical cyclone simulations. J. Atmos. Sci., 78(11), 3559-3574.

  Chen, X., G. H. Bryan, J. A. Zhang, F. D. Marks, and J. J. Cione, 2021: A framework for simulating the tropical-cyclone boundary layer using large- eddy simulation and its use in evaluating PBL parameterizations. J. Atmos. Sci., 78(11), 3593-3611.

  Chen, X., J.-F. Gu, J. A. Zhang, F. D. Marks, R. F. Rogers, and J. J. Cione, 2021: Boundary layer recovery and precipitation symmetrization preceding rapid intensification of tropical cyclones under shear. J. Atmos. Sci., 78, 1523-1544.

  Chen, X., M. Xue, B. Zhou, J. Fang, J. A. Zhang, and F. D. Marks, 2021: Effect of scale-aware planetary boundary layer schemes on tropical cyclone intensification and structural changes in the gray zone. Mon. Wea. Rev., 149, 2079-2095.

  Wu, D., F. Zhang, X. Chen, A. Ryzhkov, K. Zhao, M. R. Kumjian, X. Chen, and P.-W. Chan, 2021: Evaluation of microphysics schemes in tropical cyclones using polarimetric radar observations: Convective precipitation in outer rainband. Mon. Wea. Rev., 149, 1055-1068.

  Cione J. J., G. H. Bryan, R. Dobosy, J. A. Zhang, G. Boer, A. Aksoy, J. B. Wadler, E. A. Kalina, B. A. Dahl, K. Ryan, J. Neuhaus, Ed Dumas, F. D. Marks, A. M. Farber, T. Hock, and X. Chen, 2020: Eye of the storm: Observing hurricanes with a small unmanned aircraft system, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 101, E186-E205.

  Chen, X., J. A. Zhang, F. D. Marks, 2019: A thermodynamic pathway leading to rapid intensification of tropical cyclones in shear. Geophys. Res. Lett., 46, 9241– 9251.

  Chen, X., M. Xue, and J. Fang, 2018: Rapid intensification of Typhoon Mujigae (2015) under different sea surface temperatures: Structural changes leading to rapid intensification. J. Atmos. Sci., 75, 4313-4335.

  Chen, X., Y. Wang, J. Fang, and M. Xue, 2018: A numerical study on rapid intensification of Typhoon Vicente (2012) in the South China Sea. Part II: Inner-core processes. J. Atmos. Sci., 75, 235-255.