Dr. Laura D. Fowler
Dr. Laura D. Fowler
Research Scientist III
Office: Atmospheric Science Department , Room 309
Phone: 970-491-8300
Fax: 970-491-8241
Mailing Address:
Dr. Laura D. Fowler
Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere
Colorado State University
1375 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1375
E-mail:
Biography

Laura Fowler completed her undergraduate degree in physics, and MS (1983) in atmospheric physics at the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Lille (Lille, France). She received her Ph.D. (1989) in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University. After working for 13 years at the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University with Pr. David A. Randall, Dr. Fowler joined CIRA in December 2004. Between 1991 and 2004, Dr. Fowler was involved with the development of cloud microphysics parameterizations, and interactions between clouds, convection, and radiation in the Colorado State University General Circulation Model (CSU GCM). Her scheme was one of the first cloud microphysics schemes to include prognostic equations for the mass mixing ratios of water vapor, cloud water, rain, cloud ice, and snow in a global-scale model.

At CIRA, Dr. Fowler works with the N-dimensional Data Assimilation (NDDA) group which is part of the Center for Geosciences/Atmospheric Research (CG/AR). She is involved with the implementation of the two-moment cloud microphysics parameterization developed for the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) in the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model. Asides from her cloud-scale modeling work, Dr. Fowler’s research interests also include the development of a parameterization of fractional cloudiness for regional-scale climate models.
Recent Work
Figure

Above: 2-hour time series of the rain and graupel mixing ratios, and temperature, simulated with the RAMS cloud microphysics in WRF for the idealized case of a two-dimensional squall-line. Units are g per kg for the mixing ratios and °C for the temperature. Rain forms through auto-conversion and accretion of cloud water. Graupel forms through melting of snow and aggregates as well as collection of cloud water by snow and aggregates. Rain and graupel grow through vapor diffusion and evaporate in sub-saturated environments. Graupel may also melt to form rain.

Selected Publications

Fowler, L.D., 2008: Implementation of a prognostic parameterization of fractional cloudiness in the Weather Research Forecast Model (WRF). In preparation.

Fowler, L.D., 2008: Implementation of the RAMS cloud microphysics in the Weather Research Forecast Model (WRF). In preparation.
 
Fowler, L.D., 2007: The RAMS cloud microphysics parameterization in WRF: Current status. 8th annual WRF Users’ workshop. Boulder, Colorado, June 11th-15th.
 
Fowler, L.D., and D.A. Randall, 2002: Interactions between cloud microphysics and cumulus convection in a general circulation model. J. Atmos. Sci., 59, No. D16, 3074-3098.
 
Fowler, L.D., and D.A. Randall, 1996a: Liquid and ice cloud microphysics in the CSU general circulation model. Part II: Impact on cloudiness, the earth’s radiation budget, and the general circulation of the atmosphere. J. Climate, 9, 530-560.
 
Fowler, L.D., and D.A. Randall, 1996b: Liquid and ice cloud microphysics in the CSU general circulation model. Part III: Sensitivity to modeling assumptions. J. Climate, 9, 561-586.
 
Fowler, L.D., D.A. Randall, and S.A. Rutledge, 1996: Liquid and ice cloud microphysics in the CSU general circulation model. Part I: Model description and simulated microphysical processes. . J. Climate, 9, 489-529.
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