I like working with numerical models and observational data of our earth system. I enjoy exploring the physical dynamics behind the climate and weather systems and applying them in weather/climate models to improve their prediction skills.
My research interests include but are not limited to
equatorial convectively coupled waves
coupling between stratosphere and troposphere
subseasonal to seasonal (S2S) weather prediction
large-scale atmospheric circulations.
I'm joining the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR) as a Advanced Study Program (ASP) Postdoc Fellow in this June.
My current research includes: the diversity of Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) modulated by interannual variations[1], the influences of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) on MJO in weather prediction systems[webinar], and the MJO simulation in climate models[3].
I'm using the CESM2 subseasonal prediction system to capture the QBO-MJO connection which has been missing in all current generation climate models. For the first time, we found a nudging strategy that could capture such connection in a global model, providing a new perspective to understand the physics behind and to improve the S2S predictions. If you are also interested in these research topics, please do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Tools I use for my research
Models: CESM2 subseasonal prediction system, Beijing Climate Center Climate Sytem Model version 1.2 (BCC_CSM1.2).
Programming language: Python, Matlab, NCL, Fortran, R, LaTex, bash scripting.
Email: huangkai(at)ucar(dot)edu
In Preparation
1. Huang, K., Richter, J.H., Chen, C., & Rosenbloom., MJO Diversity in E3SMv2. To be submitted to Journal of CLimate.
2. Huang, K., and co-authors, Missing QBO-MJO Connection in the QBOi Phase 2 Climate Models. To be submitted to Geoscientific Model Development.
3. Huang, K., Richter, J.H., & Chen, C., Convective Shadow in the Stratospherer: A Secondary Wave Generation for QBO Dyanmics. In preparation.
Under Review
1. Huang, K., Shields, C.A., Hall, K.R., Richter, J.H., Li, Y., & Chen, C. Modulations of Atmospheric River Climatology by the Stratospheric Quasi-Biennial Oscillation. Submitted to Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres.
Published
1. Huang, K., Richter, J.H., & Pegion, K.V. (2023). Captured QBO-MJO connection in a Subseasonal Prediction System. Geophysical Research Letters, 50, e2022GL102648. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102648
2. Huang, K., & Pegion, K.V. (2022). The Roles of Westward-Propagating Waves and the QBO in Limiting MJO Propagation. Journal of Climate, 1-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-21-0691.1
3. Zhou, F., Ren, H. L., Liu, M. H., Wang, R., & Huang, K. (2020). Leading Modes of Asian–Australian Monsoon Interannual Variability as Represented in CMIP5 Models. International Journal of Climatology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.6702
4. Huang, K., Ren, H. L., Liu, X., Ren, P., Wei, Y., & Mu, M. (2019). Parameter modulation of Madden-Julian Oscillation behaviors in BCC_CSM1. 2: The key role of moisture-shallow convection feedback. Atmosphere, 10(5), 241. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10050241
First Place in Student Poster Presentation, 11th Symposium on the Madden-Julian Oscillation and Sub-Seasonal Monsoon Variability, 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS)
2022 Summer Visit to NCAR
2020 NCAR Graduate Visitor Program (postponed to 2021 Summer in virtual)
All-A Student, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2017
People’s Scholarship of the 2014-2015 academic year, Nanjing University, 2016
People’s Scholarship of the 2012-2013 academic year, Nanjing University, 2014
Co-leader, Sep 2023 – present, Tropical Teleconnection Working Group under the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation initiative (QBOi), WCRP.
Convener & Chair, July 2024 – present, Session A51G & A53O: Subseasonal to Seasonal Tropical Variability: Observations, Modeling, Processes, and Global Impacts, 2024 AGU Fall Meeting, Washington DC.
Committee Member, August 2024 – present, NCAR ASP Postdoc Search Committee, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO.
Committee Member, July 2023 – present, NCAR Postdoc Research Review Committee, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO.
Organizing Committee, 4th Earth System Observations and Modeling Graduate Symposium, April 21, 2023, George Mason University.
Judge, Science Fair at Mount Vernon High School, February 1, 2023, Fairfax, Virginia.
Review services for Nature Communications, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, Geophysical Research Letters, Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmoshpheres, Journal of Climate, and Climate Dynamics.
Panel member, “Time Management for Graduate Students” by AOES Department Graduate Student Mentoring Program, Fall2022, George Mason University.
Graduate Student Representative, ScienceConnect Event by College of Science, September 13,2022, George Mason University.
Organizing Committee, 3rd Earth System Observations and Modeling Graduate Symposium, April 22, 2022, George Mason University.