Douglas Parker
- Position
- Professor of Meteorology
- Areas of expertise
- Weather and Climate
- [email protected]
- Faculty
- Environment
- School
- Earth and Environment
- Website
- Faculty profile
Countries
Research Focus
I study the dynamics of African weather systems such as cumulonimbus storms, cyclones and monsoons, in the Earth’s changing climate.
My group conducts observational and theoretical studies to develop new models of these weather patterns, to explain their role in the the global circulation and to explain their impacts.
Our work contributes to improving weather and climate predictions, and making these predictions more relevant to society.
I have led and participated in a number of field campaigns, in the UK, Africa and India.
Within the University of Leeds I have a joint position between the School of Earth and Environment and the School of Mathematics.
Projects
I led the GCRF African SWIFT project (2017-2022), which has brought about transdisciplinary solutions to improve weather forecasts in Africa, and thereby to increase the resilience of millions of vulnerable people in the continent to high-impact weather.
From SWIFT, we have begun releasing real-time storm warnings to Africa through web pages and a mobile phone app: FASTA.
Educational and Outreach Initiatives
I lead transdisciplinary work to bring the benefits of weather forecasts to society. I have led and edited a textbook on weather forecasting in West Africa.
"Meteorology of Tropical West Africa: The Forecasters' Handbook" is the first book of its kind, collecting together the scientific principles and practical forecasting techniques for a particular climatic region.
The book has been translated into French and more than 300 copies have been distributed to the forecasting and training centres in Africa, funded by the Met Office and Météo-France.
Recognition
My work has formed a significant part of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize awarded to the University of Leeds in 2021 for our work in developing climate services in partnership with organisations in the Global South.