Primary Research:
 Small-Scale Patterns and Processes of Orographic Precipitation
wall of cloud aproaching over Blue Glacier (Mnt, Olympus, WA)



Currently the main focus of  my research is the investigation of precipitation patterns, processes, and impacts over mountainous terrain.


Specifically, I am interested in preciptation patterns and processes over small spatial scales (smaller than the scale of an entire mountain range), on time scales ranging from individual storm events (hours) to geological time (millions of years).  I looking into the physical processes, variability and predictibility of orographic precipitation. Furthermore, I hope to better understand the interaction between mountain precipitaiton and processes occuring at the earth's surface including: mountain erosion and uplift, landslide hazard, snowpack evolution, and the recording of proxy records of past climates. 		Rebuilt precipitation gauges before deployment in Olympic Mtns
clouds in tibet


I am exploring the general topics above in the specific setting of the Olympic Mountains of Washington state, using both a high density observational network and a sophisticated mesoscale atmospheric model. Since 2003 we have deployed an ever-growing network of >10 precipitation gauges over the ~700m high, ~20km wide ridge between the Quinault and Queets river vallies in the Southwestern portion of the Olympics. We have also analyzed >7 years of archived mesoscale weather model output from the University of Washington's MM5 modeling efforts. Both model and observations show a remarkably presistant enhancement of precipitation on the ridge relative to the adjacent vallies ranging from 50-100%.



I am currently examining case studies to better understand the processes and variablity of precipitation in this region. Furthermore, I am utilizing a simple model of shallow landsliding to better understand the effect of such precipitation patterns on lanslide hazard. This year we have been expanding our observational network to include a vertically pointing radar, two precipitation distrometers, more precipitation gauges, and two 10m anemometer towers.
Me installing an anemometer and vane in the Lake Quinault Valley (Olympic Mtns, WA)


Smoke from forest fire filling a valley (Mt Ranier, WA)
Other Acedemic Intrests:
  • Mountain meteorology and climatology
  • Predictibility of orographic precipitation
  • Interatctions between precipitation and:
    • Snowpack
    • Mountain erosion and uplift
    • Lanslide hazard
  • Prediction and understanding of regional climate change
  • Past and future climate change and variability (particularly in mountain regions)
  • Effectively communicating information about science (particularly climate science) to various audiences (classrooms, policy makers, general public)
  • Improving science education in American public schools
  • Improving educational equality in America
Publications:

Published:

Anders, AM, GH Roe, DR Durran, JR Minder, 2007: Small-scale spatial gradients in climatological precipitation on the Olympic Peninsula. Journal of Hydrometeorology, 8, 1068-1081.

Minder, JR, DR Durran, GH Roe, AM Anders, 2008: The climatology of small-scale orographic precipitation over the OIympic mountains: Patterns and processes. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorlogical Society.

In Review:

Minder, JR, GH Roe, DR Montgomerry, In Review: Patterns of precipitation and landslide hazard. Water Resources Research.


 		MRR2 vertically pointing radar (Olympic Mtns, WA)