Date: 11th August 2026, Tuesday (11:00am – 12:00pm)
Presenter: Pu Lin (Boston College)
Topic: Kilometer-scale Global Atmosphere Modeling: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract:
It has recently become feasible to perform simulations of global atmospheric models at the O(km) horizontal resolution, approaching the resolution to explicitly resolve convection. This new generation of simulations provides unique tools to probe the complex, cross-scale coupling of the climate system, while bearing its own limitations and impediments. In this talk, I will give an incomplete review of the recent developments of the global km-scale modeling. I will also present a set of global aquaplanet simulations based on the GFDL AM4 model with the horizontal resolution progressively increasing from 100km to 6km. Interesting (and perhaps counterintuitive) resolution dependence is found in these simulations in terms of tropical circulation and convection organization, urging a better understanding of the physical processes governing the tropical convections.

Speaker Profile:
Dr. Pu Lin is a senior research scientist at the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, Boston College. Before joining Boston College, she had worked at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) for more than 10 years. She is a member of the core development team of GFDL’s next-generation atmospheric model AM5.

Date: 20th August 2026, Thursday (11:00am – 12:00pm)
Presenter: Scarlett Chen
Topic: From Observations to Predictions: Lexical’s experience in supporting meteorological observations and NWP research

Abstract:
Lexical is a small weather company based in Singapore and China. In this presentation I will provide a brief introduction to Lexical. Currently we support MSS meteorological satellite receiving and some satellite-based product development. In the last decade or so, we have also gained rich experience in supporting NWP research and development, conducted a series of research projects with institutes in China Meteorological Administration (CMA) in observational quality control and data assimilation. We look for opportunities to collaborate with local researchers to support your research and development.

Speaker Profile:
Ms. Scarlett Chen is a senior technical officer in Lexical and holds BSc degree in Atmospheric Science from Nanjing University in China. She has led a number of research projects with CMA on observation quality control and NWP DA.

Date: 25th August 2026, Tuesday (11:00am – 12:00pm)
Presenter: Wei Han
Topic: Fengyun Satellite Data Assimilation: Progress and Perspectives

Abstract:
Fengyun satellites provide complementary polar-orbiting microwave and geostationary hyperspectral infrared observations for monitoring clouds, moisture and high-impact weather. This presentation summarizes our team’s recent progress in assimilating these observations and developing physics-constrained AI methods. We first introduce the all-sky assimilation of FY-3E Microwave Humidity Sounder-2 radiances in the CMA Global Forecast System. The approach increases the use of cloud- and precipitation-affected observations and improves analyses and forecasts, particularly over the tropics and Maritime Continent. We then discuss the use of high-temporal-resolution FY-4 Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder observations for targeted temperature and moisture sounding in weather-sensitive areas. Our recent AI developments include differentiable observation operators for GIIRS and all-sky microwave radiances, together with PhySCAT-Net for optimizing hydrometeor scattering properties under physical constraints. Finally, FuXi-DA directly assimilates FY-4B/AGRI observations into a deep-learning forecasting system and improves both analyses and forecasts. Together, these studies highlight the potential of integrating physics-based data assimilation and AI to better exploit Fengyun observations for tropical and high-impact weather prediction.

Speaker Profile:
Dr Wei Han is Deputy Chief Scitiest of the CMA Earth System Modeling and Prediction Centre (CEMC). He received his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science in 2003. He is a member of the International Radiation Commission and serves on the editorial boards of Monthly Weather Review and Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. His research focuses on data assimilation, satellite radiance assimilation, and the integration of physics-based numerical prediction with artificial intelligence (AI). He has made sustained contributions to the development and operational implementation of CMA’s GRAPES data assimilation systems. He developed the Constrained Bias Correction (CBC) and Constrained Variational Bias Correction (CVarBC) methods to mitigate model-bias drift in satellite radiance assimilation; these methods have been implemented in operational systems at CMA and ECMWF. He also pioneered the assimilation of FY-4A GIIRS observations, demonstrating the value of high-frequency geostationary hyperspectral sounding for typhoon and heavy-rainfall prediction. His recent work spans all-sky assimilation of FY-3E MWHS-2 radiances, physics-informed AI observation operators, and AI-based assimilation frameworks such as FuXi-DA. His honors include the 2021 National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize), the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 23rd International TOVS Study Conference (ITSC) in 2021.

Date: 22nd September 2026, Tuesday (11:00am – 12:00pm)
Presenter: Yuan Sun
Topic: Improving Urban Climate Modelling Within the Earth System Model Framework to Support Adaptation

Abstract:
Although urban climate is a local phenomenon, urban climate adaptation is a global concern. There is a growing trend to advance urban climate modelling within the Earth System Model (ESM) framework in response to the need for climate adaptation. This presentation will show developments in urban land-cover representation, physical-process parameterisation, and adaptation-oriented functionality within the Community Earth System Model (CESM). The presenter will also show some side work on model application in urban climate impact assessment and model infrastructure development.

Speaker Profile:
Dr Yuan Sun is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Geography, National University of Singapore. Before joining NUS, she completed a PhD in environmental science from The University of Manchester and got a master’s and bachelor’s degree in architecture from Zhejiang University. She published papers in Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems and Sustainable Cities and Society. Personal webpage: https://yuansun-uom.github.io/.