We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not, but Toby Ault would prefer to be prepared, and he’s working to arm scientists and sociologists, ecologists and economists, with as much information as possible to help assess and mitigate risks from future weather events.
The new addition to the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is using the latest technology to combine global climate models and create new ones. He’s also drawing from the past, synthesizing paleoclimatic records with modern observational data and computer simulations. They don’t always mesh, and he’s trying to figure out why.
“Our ability to monitor weather from space is phenomenal. Our numerical climate models are extremely good. Visual models have been lacking, but our tools are evolving very quickly and have the potential to be spectacular,” Ault said.
There is some basic research needed to improve forecasts on seasonal timescales, and that will be a key area of inquiry in his lab over the next few years.
Ault came to Cornell in July, after working as a postdoctoral researcher in the Advanced Studies Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Cornell’s earth and atmospheric sciences program is small but mighty, and both those aspects held appeal for Ault, who said he’s looking forward to working closely with students and collaborating with faculty across disciplines.
“Weather predictions save lives and money every day,” Ault added. “People’s whole lives and livelihoods depend on our ability to predict major weather hazards. The impacts from the same event can be very different for different communities, so it’s important to collaborate across the spectrum, tapping into cultural resources as well as government agencies.”
