Paul Romano

Hello! I began my Master’s degree in CliMAS in the Fall of 2024, advised by Dr. David Kristovich. My thesis examines how urban areas influence convection. Urban environments are well known to modify local atmospheric conditions through the formation of heat islands, increased aerosol concentrations, and reduced water vapor levels. Some studies argue that the heat island effect can strengthen storms, while others suggest that processes such as increased surface friction may weaken convection in urban areas.

My research takes an observational and climatological approach to address these uncertainties, analyzing nine years of NOAA WSR-88D radar data from three cities: Chicago, New York, and Phoenix. These cities were selected for their differences in climate and geography, allowing for a comparative analysis of how urbanization affects convection across diverse environments.

I earned my B.S. from UIUC in the Spring of 2024. During my undergraduate studies, I conducted research with Dr. Bob Rauber, examining radar bright bands using vertically pointing radars from the IMPACTS project. In the Spring of 2023, I assisted with weather balloon launches during an Intensive Observation Period (IOP) for the PERiLS field campaign. In the Summer of 2024, I worked with Dr. Kristovich on the MITTEN-CI field campaign in Michigan, studying boundary layer conditions associated with lake breezes and convective initiation.