David B Mechem

David Mechem
  • Chair
  • Professor

Contact Info

Department Phone:
785-864-5143
Lindley Hall, room #230

Personal Links

Biography —

I am a professor in the Atmospheric Science Program located in the Department of Geography. My group and I conduct research on cloud microphysics and dynamics, and mesoscale organization of cloud systems.

I teach the 2-semester undergraduate dynamic meteorology sequence, physical meteorology (occasionally), and a graduate-level numerical modeling course.

Research —

My research explores different manifestations of precipitating convection, ranging from drizzling boundary layer stratocumulus to deep, highly organized mesoscale convective systems. A common thread of interest between these phenomena is the concept of mesoscale organization and its role in promoting scale interactions, in particular how mesoscale and cloud-scale processes serve as upscale agents of change for the large-scale flow or cloud coverage. Guided by observational results, I employ large eddy simulation, cloud resolving models, and mesoscale models to investigate cloud system processes.

Selected Publications —

<div class="fp-publications fp-container"><div class="aca-article">Eissner, J., Mechem, D., Jensen, M., Giangrande, S. (2021). Factors Governing Cloud Growth and Entrainment Rates in Shallow Cumulus and Cumulus Congestus During GoAmazon2014/5. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres - Issue 12 | Volume 126. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD034722">https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD034… class="aca-article">Tomkins, L., Mechem, D., Yuter, S., Rhodes, S. (2021). Regional flow conditions associated with stratocumulus cloud-eroding boundaries over the southeast Atlantic. Monthly Weather Review. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-20-0250.1">https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-… class="aca-article">Mcmichael, L., Mechem, D., Wang, S., Wang, Q., Kogan, Y., Teixeira, J. (2019). Assessing the mechanisms governing the daytime evolution of marine stratocumulus using large‐eddy simulation. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society - Issue 719 | Volume 145. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/QJ.3469">https://doi.org/10.1002/QJ.3469</a>.</… class="aca-article">Mechem, D., Giangrande, S. (2018). The Challenge of Identifying Controls on Cloud Properties and Precipitation Onset for Cumulus Congestus Sampled During MC3E. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres - Issue 6 | Volume 123. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD027457">https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD027…;