Clark Evans

Clark Evans is a Research Physical Scientist and Model Physics Branch Chief in the Earth Prediction Advancement Division of the Global Systems Laboratory. He joined GSL in 2024 after thirteen years at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he was a Professor and Chair of the Atmospheric Science Program. He completed his postdoctoral studies with the Advanced Study Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research between 2009-11. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Meteorology from Florida State University in 2004, 2006, and 2009, respectively. His research uses numerical models to better understand and predict high-impact weather phenomena, particularly tropical cyclones and severe thunderstorms. He currently serves as the Incoming Commissioner for the American Meteorological Society’s Scientific and Technological Activities Commission, an Editor for Monthly Weather Review, and a member of the Developmental Testbed Center’s Science Advisory Board.

On a personal level, he is interested in his faith, running, cycling, sports, hiking, photography, cartography, historical accounts, and traveling. Far too many of his conversations revolve around the weather, even when he’s actively trying to keep it from happening. You’ll find him gleeful about the first warm days of spring and counting down the days to the return of daylight-saving time in winter.

Research Interests

My research interests are fairly broad and encompass phenomena from the tropics to midlatitudes on the meso- to synoptic and climate scales. I am particularly interested in severe convective storms, mesoscale convective systems, tropical cyclones, and tropical-midlatitude interactions. Whereas much of my research as a university professor focused on using numerical models to better understand these phenomena, my research at GSL will emphasize rigorous hypothesis-driven testing and evaluation to help improve how numerical models predict these phenomena.

Education

Ph.D., Meteorology, Florida State University, 2009
M.S., Meteorology, Florida State University, 2006
B.S., Meteorology (with minors in Mathematics and Physics), Florida State University, 2004

Experience

2024-present, Research Physical Scientist and Model Physics Branch Chief, NOAA/OAR Global Systems Laboratory, Boulder, CO
2021-24, Professor, Atmospheric Sciences, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
2014-20 and 2021-24, Chair, Atmospheric Sciences, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
2016-20, Associate Professor, Atmospheric Sciences, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
2011-16, Assistant Professor, Atmospheric Sciences, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
2009-11, Postdoctoral Fellow, Advanced Study Program, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO

Linked-In profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-evans-noaa/

Personal website address

https://sites.uwm.edu/evans36/

Publications

*italic/underline indicates a student I advised

Blount, D. V., C. Evans, I. L. Jirak, A. R. Dean, and S. Kravtsov, 2023: An objective method for clustering observed vertical thermodynamic profiles by synoptic meteorological conditions. Wea. Forecasting, 38, 1143–1156.
Kaminski, A. N., and coauthors, 2023: A 30-year climatology of northeastern United States atmospheric rivers. J. Appl. Meteor. Climatol., 62, 31–40.
Prince, K. C., and C. Evans, 2022: Convectively generated negative potential vorticity enhancing the jet stream through an inverse energy cascade during the extratropical transition of Hurricane Irma. J. Atmos. Sci., 79, 2901–2918.
Sarro, G. M., and C. Evans, 2022: An updated investigation of post-transformation intensity, structural, and duration extremes for extratropically transitioning North Atlantic tropical cyclones. Mon. Wea. Rev., 150, 2911–2933.
Schultz, D. M., and coauthors, 2022: How to be a more effective author. Mon. Wea. Rev., 150, 2819–2828.
Prince, K. C., and C. Evans, 2020: A climatology of indirect tropical cyclone interactions in the North Atlantic and western North Pacific basins. Mon. Wea. Rev., 148, 4035–4059.
Schaffer, J. D., P. J. Roebber, and C. Evans, 2020: Development and evaluation of an evolutionary programming-based tropical cyclone intensity model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 148, 1951–1970.
Schultz, D. M., and coauthors, 2020: Data availability principles and practice. Mon. Wea. Rev., 148, 4701–4702.
Evans, C., S. J. Weiss, I. L. Jirak, A. R. Dean, and D. S. Nevius, 2018: An evaluation of paired regional/convection-allowing forecast vertical thermodynamic profiles in warm-season, thunderstorm-supporting environments. Wea. Forecasting, 33, 1547–1566.
Nevius, D. S., and C. Evans, 2018: The influence of vertical advection discretization in the WRF-ARW model on capping inversion representation in warm-season, thunderstorm-supporting environments. Wea. Forecasting, 33, 1639–1660.
Prince, K. C., and C. Evans, 2018: A climatology of extreme South American Andean cold surges. J. Appl. Meteor. Climatol., 57, 2297–2315.
Burlingame, B. M., C. Evans, and P. J. Roebber, 2017: The influence of PBL parameterization on the practical predictability of convection initiation during the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment (MPEX). Wea. Forecasting, 32, 1161–1183.
Evans, C., and coauthors: 2017: The extratropical transition of tropical cyclones. Part I: cyclone evolution and direct impacts. Mon. Wea. Rev., 145, 4317–4344.
Grunzke, C. T., and C. Evans, 2017: Predictability and dynamics of warm-core mesoscale vortex formation with the 8 May 2009 “super derecho” event. Mon. Wea. Rev., 145, 811–832.
Keclik, A. M., C. Evans, P. J. Roebber, and G. S. Romine, 2017: The influence of assimilated upstream, pre-convective dropsonde observations on ensemble forecasts of convection initiation during the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment. Mon. Wea. Rev., 145, 4747–4770.
Karloski, J. M., and C. Evans, 2016: Seasonal influences upon and long-term trends in the length of the Atlantic hurricane season. J. Climate, 29, 273–292.
Manion, A., C. Evans, T. L. Olander, C. S. Velden, and L. D. Grasso, 2015: An evaluation of Advanced Dvorak Technique-derived tropical cyclone intensity estimates during extratropical transition using synthetic satellite imagery. Wea. Forecasting, 30, 984–1009.
Weisman, M. L., and coauthors, 2015: The Mesoscale Predictability Experiment (MPEX). Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 96, 2127–2149.
Burghardt, B., C. Evans, and P. Roebber, 2014: Assessing the predictability of convection initiation across the High Plains using an object-based approach. Wea. Forecasting, 29, 403–418.
Evans, C., D. F. Van Dyke, and T. Lericos, 2014: How do forecasters utilize output from a convection-permitting ensemble forecast system? Case study of a high-impact precipitation event. Wea. Forecasting, 29, 466–486.
Evans, C., M. L. Weisman, and L. F. Bosart, 2014: Development of an intense, warm-core mesoscale vortex associated with the 8 May 2009 “super derecho” convective event. J. Atmos. Sci., 71, 1218–1240.
Weisman, M. L., C. Evans, and L. F. Bosart, 2013: The 8 May 2009 “super derecho”: analysis of a realtime explicit convective forecast. Wea. Forecasting, 28, 863–892.
Evans, C., and coauthors, 2012: The PRE-Depression Investigation of Cloud-systems in the Tropics (PREDICT) field campaign: perspectives of early career scientists. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 93, 173–187.
Evans, C., R. S. Schumacher, and T. J. Galarneau, Jr., 2011: Sensitivity in the overland reintensification of Tropical Cyclone Erin (2007) to near-surface soil moisture characteristics. Mon. Wea. Rev., 139, 3848–3870.
Evans, C., and R. E. Hart, 2008: Analysis of the wind field evolution associated with the extratropical transition of Bonnie (1998). Mon. Wea. Rev., 136, 2047–2065.
Hart, R. E., J. L. Evans, and C. Evans, 2006: Synoptic composites of the extratropical transition lifecycle of North Atlantic tropical cyclones: factors determining post-transition evolution. Mon. Wea. Rev., 134, 553–578.

Membership and Service

Member, American Meteorological Society
Editor, Monthly Weather Review (American Meteorological Society)
Incoming Commissioner, Scientific and Technological Activities Commission (American Meteorological Society)
Member, Developmental Testbed Center Science Advisory Board

Honors and Awards

2023: Faculty Distinguished Public Service Award, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2021: Office of Research/UWM Foundation Research Award, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2021: Faculty Distinguished University Service Award, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Our Mission

Lead research and directed development through the transition of environmental data, models, products, tools, and services to support commerce, protect life and property, and promote a scientifically literate public.

Research Areas

Organizational Excellence, Earth System Prediction, Advanced Technologies, and Decision Support are the foundation to achieving the GSL Grand Challenge: Deliver actionable global storm-scale prediction and environmental information through advanced technologies to serve society.