Tropical Systems Group

Kelly M. Núñez Ocasio, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Department of Atmospheric Sciences

Texas A&M University

¡Bienvenidos!

We study tropical systems across convective to synoptic scales using a multiscale, process-based approach. Our research focuses on identifying and analyzing the physical processes involved in the evolution of mesoscale convective systems, easterly waves, and the genesis of tropical cyclones. We also examine the weather and climate of Africa and their relationship to tropical variability in the Atlantic.

We are particularly interested in how convective processes and moisture contribute to the genesis of tropical cyclone seeds, and how these interactions may evolve in a changing climate. To pursue these scientific questions, we use both weather and climate models, as well as observations. We are also committed to open science practices and are deeply motivated by the importance of science communication in broadening the reach and impact of our work.

This video is part of the Texas A&M Department of Atmospheric Sciences Marketing & Recruitment Campaign.

📸: Ashley Sebok

Recent News

January 2026:
- We are looking forward to the AMS Annual Meeting in Houston, TX! Below is the Tropical Systems Group (TSG) schedule:
  - Stephanie Ortiz Rosario will be participating in the Student Conference as a Co-Chair in Training. You can catch her chairing the “Research and Career Panels – Climate” session on Saturday, January 24 🕑 10:20–11:30 AM, 📍 Room 332A.
  - Kelly Núñez Ocasio is an invited speaker in the “Paving Your Path: Navigating the Job Market” session at the Student Conference on Sunday, January 25 🕑 9:40–10:25 AM, 📍 Grand Ballroom A. You can also catch Kelly at the Texas A&M University booth Grad School/ Career Fair on Sunday evening.
  - Kelly is the convener of the "Response of High-Impact Tropical Weather to a Warming Climate: Bridging Weather and Climate" sessions. Her talk “Advancing Weather and Climate Science in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean through Community and Storm-Resolving Modeling”, will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026 🕑 10:45–11:00 AM, 📍 Room 352D.
- Kelly Núñez Ocasio recently completed her three-year term on the AMS Annual Meeting Oversight Committee (AMOC) and is a newly appointed member of the AMS Science and Technological Activities Commission (STAC) Committee on Tropical Meteorology and Tropical Cyclones (TMTC).
December 2025:
- AGU's Eos selected Núñez Ocasio et al. (2025) recent JAMES publication as a Research Spotlight! The spotlight, is titled "Warming May Make Tropical Cyclone “Seeds” Riskier for Africa".
November 2025:
- Science Illustrated published an article on recent advances in tropical cyclone research, highlighting work from Núñez Ocasio et al. (2024) and Núñez Ocasio & Dougherty (2024). The article was published internationally, translated into six different languages and you can read it [here]!
October 2025:
- Kelly Núñez Ocasio was an invited seminar speaker at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) seminar series. This is the link to talk👉[Link].

You can find more group news [here].

Dr. Nunez Ocasio FOX Weather.mp4

Interview with FOX Weather about 2025 Eastern Pacific & Atlantic hurricane season

🚨Graduate Student and Postdoc Opportunities🚨

If you are interested in a position, please email me at knunez.ocasio@tamu.edu with your CV and research interests. Prospective students may apply through the TAMU ATMO department.

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