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University of Alabama in Huntsville
Join Us! The TCBL Lab is Recruiting for Fall 2026.
Join Us! The TCBL Lab is Recruiting for Fall 2026.
Our group is admitting a graduate student for Fall 2026 to study hurricane landfalls using Doppler radar observations and numerical simulations. Preference will be given to candidates who have submitted a NSF GRFP proposal.
(Application prior to 1/1/26 will be considered at priority).
Welcome
Welcome
Inside the eyewall of Hurricane Epsilon (2020) as seen by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
Dr. Xiaomin Chen’s research focuses on understanding the boundary layer processes that influence the intensity and structural changes of tropical cyclones, as well as the associated wind hazards during and after landfall. To achieve this, he integrates multi-platform observations—including aircraft, ground-based Doppler radars, and UAH MAPNet—with turbulence-resolving large-eddy simulations to enhance the modeling of boundary layer processes under hurricane conditions. His recently developed boundary layer scheme has been implemented into NOAA’s next-generation hurricane forecast model, Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS).
Research Topics
Research Topics
TCBL_landfall_roll.mp4CM1 large-eddy simulations of hurricane landfall
CM1 large-eddy simulations of hurricane landfall
Upper: 10-m wind speeds from a LES simulation; lefter half is land and right half is ocean; markers are virtual MAPNet instruments
Upper: 10-m wind speeds from a LES simulation; lefter half is land and right half is ocean; markers are virtual MAPNet instruments
Lower: Evolution of 1-s gust at 10-m height at virtual MAPNet locations
Lower: Evolution of 1-s gust at 10-m height at virtual MAPNet locations
Recent Group News
Recent Group News
Sep 15, 2025 The GRL paper "Boundary Layer Observations and Near-Surface Wind Estimation during the Landfalls of Hurricanes Ida (2021) and Zeta (2020)" led by Zeb Leffler was accepted. This study proposes a better approach to estimate coastal surface winds by leveraging radar wind retrievals within the internal boundary layer.
Aug 25-29, 2025 Zeb Leffler and Xiaomin Chen presented their recent landfall research at the 41st International Radar Conference on Radar Meteorology in Toronto.
Jun 9, 2025 The GRL paper "Large-Eddy Simulation of Internal Boundary Layers and Near-Surface Wind Estimation During Hurricane Landfalls" was published. This study provides insights into the coastal, near-surface wind profile and quantifies the errors of near-surface wind estimates for the first time.
May 1, 2025 The TCBL group attended the 2025 University Awards for Excellence ceremony at SSB, UAH. Xiaomin Chen received the University Distinguished Research, Creative Achievement, & Scholarly Performance Award & Outstanding Faculty Member Award for the CoS.
Apr 8-10, 2025 Dr. George Bryan from the NCAR/MMM visited the AES department and the TCBL lab! Welcome!
Apr 4, 2025 Xiaomin Chen received the CoS Research Excellence Award at the UAH Honors Day! The TCBL group joined the ceremony!
Mar 25-27, 2025 Prof. Michael Fischer from the Univ. of Miami visited the TCBL group and initiated great discussions with TCBL lab members.
Feb 21, 2025 Ethan Prunty has been selected to participate in the NSF NCAR/MMM CELCIUS Summer Visitor Cohort! Congrats!
Feb 8, 2025 Xiaomin Chen was invited to give a talk titled "Hurricane Helene: Lessons Learned and Beyond" in the 2025 Rocket City Weather Fest at UAH. [slides]
Jan 31, 2025 Amethyst Johnson received the 2024 Editor's Award for Advances in Atmospheric Sciences! Congrats!
Jan 12–16, 2025 Zeb Leffler and Xiaomin attended the 105th AMS Annual Meeting. Zeb gave an oral presentation on the radar analysis of Hurricane Ida (2021). [Abstract]
Oct 21, 2024 Zeb Leffler was interviewed by Huntsville Business Journal during the 10th Anniversary of SWIRLL. [link]
Aug 21, 2024 Evan Johnson and Ethan Prunty joined the UAH TCBL Lab as master's students. Welcome!!
May 5-10, 2024 Xiaomin and Amethyst presented at the 36th AMS Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology. Xiaomin co-chaired the landfall and HFIP sessions.
Apr 15, 2024 Amethyst Johnson joined TCBL as a research associate. Welcome!
Apr 1, 2024 Zeb Leffler presented his TCBL study at UAH's Graduate Poster Session.
Feb 10, 2024 Zeb Leffler led the effort of UPSTORM Balloon launch and provided tours to the attendees of the Rocket City Weather Fest 2024 at the UAH.
Jan 28-Feb 1, 24 Zeb Leffler presented his research on the PBL evolution near TC tornadoes at the 104th AMS annual meeting in Baltimore, MD.
Dec 11–15, 23 Xiaomin Chen chaired a TC session and presented his recent efforts in developing PBL physics for HAFS at the AGU annual meeting in San Francisco, CA.
Nov 6, 2023 The JAS paper "Parameterizations of Boundary Layer Mass Fluxes in High-Wind Conditions for Tropical Cyclone Simulations" was accepted. This study explains the new features used in the PBL parameterizations of HAFS-B.
Oct 27, 2023 The JAS review Paper "A review of the interactions between tropical cyclones and environmental vertical wind shear" was published. It is a useful reference for graduate students and early-career scientists.
Oct 2, 2023 The FES Paper "2022 Real-Time Hurricane Forecasts from an Experimental Version of the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFSV0.3S)" was published.
Aug 1, 2023 The WAF Paper "The Development of a Consensus Machine Learning Model for Hurricane Rapid Intensification Forecasts with HWRF Data" was published.
Jul 24–28, 23 Xiaomin Chen presented his recent efforts in developing PBL physics for HAFS at NOAA's 2nd UIFCW Workshop in Boulder, CO.
May 18, 2023 Zeb Leffler joined the TCBL group. Welcome!
Mar 1, 2023 The TCRR review paper "Research advances on internal processes affecting tropical cyclone intensity change from 2018–2022" was published. This study summarizes the research progress of TC inner-core dynamics over the past four years and serves as a good reference for TC scientists.
Feb 14, 2023 The WAF paper "Performance of an Improved TKE-Based EDMF PBL Scheme in 2021 Hurricane Forecasts from the HAFS" was published.
Jan 19, 2023 The MWR paper "Using a high-resolution ensemble to assess the impacts of ventilation on a tropical cyclone rapid intensification event" was published.
Contact us
Department of Atmospheric and Earth Science, 320 Sparkman Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Email: Xiaomin Chen <xiaomin.chen@uah.edu>
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