EAPS faculty and students use observations and numerical modeling to better understand the physics, predictability and impacts of extreme weather systems, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, and tropical cyclones, and their variability within the climate system.
Atmospheric and Climate Sciences
Extreme Weather
Climate Dynamics
The fundamental physics and processes of the regional and large-scale climate system and its variability (such as monsoons, El Niño, and the jet stream), and intraseasonal variability are topics of research by our faculty and students.
Surface-ATMS Interactions
Select EAPS faculty and students study the exchange of energy and matter between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface, including sea, land, and vegetation.
Atmospheric Science News
When the atmosphere gets stuck, extreme weather can follow
05-18-2026
EAPS Purdue researcher helps lead international call to improve how scientists understand atmospheric blocking and its role in heat waves, droughts, floods and cold spells.
Four benefits of going out in the rain
04-20-2026
BBC — From its distinctive smell to the negative ions it releases, rain has some fascinating benefits for our bodies – especially when it comes to our mood. EAPS's Dan Cziczo is quoted in this article.
Dr. Robin Tanamachi and EAPS Student Lindsey Peterson Appear on WeatherBrains
03-03-2026
YouTube (WeatherBrains) — What’s new with atmospheric science at Purdue? Dr. Robin Tanamachi and EAPS student Lindsey Peterson appeared on the popular WeatherBrains podcast to discuss what’s happening in atmospheric science at Purdue.
Why Are Thunderstorms More Intense Over Land Than Ocean?
02-13-2026
EOS — A new perspective on convective instability sheds light on the factors controlling intensity in the rising motions that produce precipitation, and occasionally thunder and lightning, over land. EAPS Professor Dan Chavas was part of the research group.
Satellites encased in wood are in the works
01-27-2026
The Economist — Swapping metal for wood, though, is not without hazard, observes Daniel Cziczo of Purdue University, who was one of the authors of the stratospheric-particle study. What might emerge from a reaction between the resulting soot and vaporized electronics remains unknown. The article requires a login.