High-resolution Modeling of Southern Great Plains Natural Hazards

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are important drivers of severe weather across the Southern Great Plains, producing heavy precipitation, strong winds, and associated hazards. Accurately representing these systems requires high-resolution atmospheric modeling. This project investigates the capability of regional atmospheric models, including WRF and MPAS-Atmosphere, to simulate selected historical MCS events during 1981–2020.

Using advanced computing resources provided through ACCESS and observations of historical events, the project evaluates how driving atmospheric datasets and model configurations influence simulated storm characteristics and model performance. The work helps identify effective modeling strategies and establish reusable workflows for future research on regional hydroclimate extremes.