Research

While at Texas A&M I have been studying the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in the Pacific Ocean using satellite and reanalysis data. The data I have been working with most are from the ERA-Interim, GPCP, and the TMI and PR sensors that were onboard TRMM. Using these data I have been working to develop a way to characterize the ITCZ (zonal and meridional extent, convective intensity, migration, etc.) as a first step for the project I will be finishing for my Ph.D. While my Master's work dealt with developing and testing the identification algorithm, my Ph.D. work will use the ITCZ characteristics to determine the, if any, impact of subtropical moisture from shallow convection on the ITCZ.

Published Papers

Wodzicki, K. R., and A. D. Rapp, 2016: Long-term characterization of the Pacific ITCZ using TRMM, GPCP, and ERA-Interim. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 121, 3153–3170, doi:10.1002/2015JD024458.