Sol Kim

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are long, flowing regions of moisture in the atmosphere – sometimes referred to as rivers in the sky. Globally, ARs are responsible for transporting the vast majority of water vapor towards the poles but regionally can have significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts. In the western U.S., ARs have accounted for roughly $1.1 billion in estimated flood damages per year. With growing populations/development and climate change, risks of AR-driven flood damages are expected to increase. Despite posing enormous risks and damages, ARs are also essential for ending droughts and supplying water resources. My research examines various aspects of these features including the genesis of ARs, representation of ARs in climate models, detection of ARs in 3D and by using Deep Learning, and lastly, the ability of ARs to transport heat and energy. I am advised by professor John Chiang.

Before starting my PhD, I worked with earth observations at NASA and lived in Finland under a Fulbright grant conducting heat wave research.