I lead a team of scientists and students united by passion for learning and a deep curiosity about the atmospheric. In our work, we use multiple tools to address fundamental questions about the physical processes that govern atmospheric convection and some of the most extreme weather phenomena known to mankind. While our main commitment is to advance knowledge, we aim to conduct work that can have multiple impacts for communities and guide real-world solutions.
The study of clouds
Convective clouds are one of the pillars of our research. We are particularly interested in the behavior of clouds in coastal environments. This is partly driven by our desire to produce work that can be societally impactful–almost 3 billion people live along coastlines–and partly because coastal environments are characterized by a rich atmospheric phenomenology.
Some of the questions we are interested in answering include:
- What is the role of land/sea breezes in generating new convective clouds?
- Which mechanisms control the offshore propagation of convection?
- How do coastlines affect convective organization?
The physics of extreme weather
Our research group is also deeply engaged in the study of extreme weather, exploring its many physical facets and dynamics. From severe storms and lightning to downslope windstorms, hail, and pyrocumulonimbus clouds, we investigate the processes that drive these intense phenomena.
By utilizing advanced numerical models and observational data, we aim to better understand the mechanisms behind their formation and behavior. This work not only addresses fundamental questions about the physics of extreme weather but also provides critical insights for improving forecasts and mitigating the impacts of these events on communities and ecosystems.
Exploring the upper atmosphere
Another key focus of our group is the study of the upper atmosphere and space weather, where Earth’s atmosphere interacts with the space environment. Using a combination of advanced modeling and cutting-edge remote-sensing techniques—such as ionosondes and meteor spectroscopy—we investigate the complex processes that govern the mesosphere-lower thermosphere region.
Our research aims to unravel the connections between atmospheric waves, ionospheric disturbances, and space weather phenomena, contributing to a deeper understanding of their impacts on satellite communications, navigation systems, and the global environment. Through this work, we seek to bridge gaps in knowledge and provide valuable insights for both scientific advancement and practical applications.
Giuseppe Torri 