Prof. Steven Siems - Honours Projects

Supervisor: Steve Siems
Field of Study: Meteorology
Support Offered: None

The Southern Ocean is home to one of the most active storm tracks on Earth and plays a critical role in regulating the global climate. Observations at Macquarie Island show that annual precipitation has increased by almost 30% over the past 45 years, raising a fundamental question: are Southern Ocean storms changing?

This project will investigate how the structure and behaviour of storms have evolved by analysing observations, satellite products and atmospheric reanalyses. You will examine changes in winds, moisture transport, boundary-layer characteristics and storm dynamics associated with both warm and cold air advection events.

The results will help determine whether the observed increase in precipitation reflects broader changes across the Southern Ocean, with implications for ocean circulation, sea-surface temperatures and the global water cycle.
Opportunities associated with this project include:

• Eligible to apply for an Honours scholarship with the Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century (competitive scholarship of $7500 for one year, or pro rata for part-time students)

The seasonality of the meteorology at Kennaook/Cape Grim and its impact on observations

Supervisor(s): Steve Siems
Field of study: Meteorology/Atmospheric Science

Why does the cleanest air on Earth change through the year?

Kennaook/Cape Grim in northwest Tasmania is one of the world's premier atmospheric monitoring sites, providing a unique window into the pristine marine atmosphere of the Southern Ocean. Aerosol concentrations at the site exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle that is often linked to biological activity in the ocean, but meteorological processes may be equally important.

This project will investigate how weather and climate influence observations at Cape Grim. Using observational datasets and atmospheric analyses, you will examine how air-mass origin, storm  activity, precipitation, cloud cover and wind patterns shape the seasonal cycle of aerosols and atmospheric composition.

The project will provide new insights into the interactions between weather, clouds and aerosols in one of the most pristine environments on Earth, improving our understanding of the natural baseline against which human influences on the atmosphere are measured.

Opportunities associated with this project include:

• Eligible to apply for an Honours scholarship with the Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century (competitive scholarship of $7500 for one year, or pro rata for part-time students)

The diurnal cycle of clouds over the Great Barrier Reef

Supervisor(s): Steve Siems
Field of study: Meteorology/Atmospheric Science

Can clouds help protect the Great Barrier Reef from marine heatwaves?

Mass coral bleaching events across the Great Barrier Reef are becoming more frequent as ocean temperatures rise. Clouds play an important role in regulating the amount of solar energy reaching the ocean surface, yet their influence on reef warming remains poorly understood.
This project will use satellite observations to investigate the daily life cycle of clouds over the Great Barrier Reef. You will examine when and where clouds form, how they evolve through the day, and whether they help suppress or enhance the extreme warming conditions that lead to coral bleaching.
The project combines satellite remote sensing, cloud physics and climate science to address an important environmental challenge. The results could improve our understanding of how clouds influence marine heatwaves and whether cloud-related feedbacks affect the future resilience of the reef.

Opportunities associated with this project include:

• Eligible to apply for an Honours scholarship with the Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century (competitive scholarship of $7500 for one year, or pro rata for part-time students)

Please contact Steven Siems directly for further information regarding Honours projects