Natural climate variability and freezing rain in central and eastern North America

Posted on January 14, 2026

This study published in Journal of Climate examines long-term trends in freezing rain across central and eastern North America. Using geospatial and statistical techniques, and 8-decades of data for US and Canadian subdomains, this work first evaluates the performance of the European ERA5 reanalysis freezing rain variable to observed frequencies, indicating that the agreement is […]

A climatology of atmospheric river severity using an adjusted IVT scaling across U.S. subdomains

Posted on January 14, 2026

In a paper recently published in Journal of Climate, Dr. Hongsheng Wang and Dr. Esther Mullens develop a geospatial climatology of landfalling atmospheric rivers using 8-decades of data from the European Center’s ERA5 reanalysis dataset. Using a detection algorithm to extract atmospheric river features, the authors develop a severity climatology that is adjusted to reflect […]

A weather regime-based analysis of freezing rain trends in a warmer climate for Eastern North America

Posted on January 7, 2026

Freezing rain is a common winter weather hazard across eastern North America, resulting in damage and disruption to energy utilities, transportation, and the economy. Due to its short lasting and self-limiting nature, observational gaps, and the need for high temporal and spatial resolution model output, this phase type is less studied in the context of […]

Temporal and spatial analysis of freezing rain regimes over Eastern North America

Posted on August 13, 2025

Freezing rain events, which have caused billions of dollars in damage in recent decades, are still one of the least understood forms of precipitation. These events affect both urban and rural regions, including cities and forests. However, the often short-lived and sporadic occurrence of these events poses significant challenges to accurate reporting, complicating analysis attempting […]

Precipitation whiplash events: What causes them and their impacts over the US

Posted on July 22, 2025

Precipitation whiplash, the rapid shift from drought to flooding, or vice versa, exacerbates the impact of both extremes compared to if they were to occur separately. The recognition of these types of events is relatively recent, and event precursors, driving meteorology and impacts are poorly understood. In response to this, this review summarizes the current […]

The weather loophole keeping St Pete sunny

Posted on April 17, 2025

Stephen Mullens was interviewed by Vox for their video explaining the meteorology behind the sunny skies of St Petersburg, FL. In this 8-minute video, Mullens worked with journalist Ed Vega to help explain why Florida would be a desert without the summer sea breeze thunderstorms, how the sea breeze works, and why St Petersburg […]

Precipitation whiplash events over the U.S.

Posted on April 3, 2025

Precipitation whiplash events are expected to become more frequent due to climate change, but what are they? Drs. Esther Mullens and Johanna Engström investigate how whiplash events are defined, their meteorological drivers, and their impacts in the United States in their recent publication “Drought to Flood to Drought” published in the International Journal of Climatology. […]

Stephen Mullens Awards

2024 Advisor of the Year – UF Student Activities and Involvement “Stephen Mullens is an Assistant Instructional Professor of Meteorology. He has made significant contributions to our academic community. As the advisor of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) at the University of Florida since its founding in 2021, Mullens has consistently supported AMS activities and […]

Role of single and compound Pacific natural variability in extratropical cyclone activity over North America

Posted on January 8, 2024

WANG, MULLENS – Role of single and compound Pacific natural variability in extratropical cyclone activity over North America Hongsheng Wang, Esther Mullens Article first published online: 8 January 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.8349 ABSTRACT: The role of large-scale natural variability in influencing the distribution of midlatitude storm tracks and extratropical cyclones is well known. However, less understood […]

B.S. in Meteorology Starting in Fall 2024

Posted on November 2, 2023

The Department of Geography is excited to announce the Bachelor of Science program in Meteorology has been fully approved, and will officially begin in Fall 2024. Our program provides broader geographic training and aims to build skills that crosscut from meteorology to applied climate science, geospatial analysis, hydrology, business, economics, communications, and Al as required […]

Summary of an Interdisciplinary Workshop on Risk-Relevant Gaps and Needs in Freezing Rain Science

Posted on August 18, 2023

MULLENS – Summary of an Interdisciplinary Workshop on Risk-Relevant Gaps and Needs in Freezing Rain Science Daniel Chavas, Jingjing Liang, Mike Baldwin, Mo Zhou, Lindsey Rustad, Christopher McCray, Stephanie DiVito, Rebecca Kartheiser, Esther Mullens Article first published online: 1 July 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-23-0075.1 On 11–12 October 2021, Purdue University hosted the Purdue Ice Storm Risk […]

Damages Associated with Excessive Rainfall Outlooks (ERO) and Missed Flash Floods

Posted on March 24, 2023

WILLIAMSON, ASH, MULLENS – Damages Associated with Excessive Rainfall Outlooks (ERO) and Missed Flash Floods Meirah Williamson, Kevin Ash, Michael Erickson, Esther Mullens Article first published online: 13 March 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-22-0035.1 ABSTRACT: Flash flooding is the most damaging and deadly type of flooding event in the continental United States (CONUS), and one of the […]

The Changing Nature of Hazardous Weather and Implications for Transportation: Example from Oklahoma, USA

Posted on January 24, 2023

MULLENS – The Changing Nature of Hazardous Weather and Implications for Transportation: Example from Oklahoma, USA Esther Mullens, Renee McPherson Article first published online: 20 January 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11020032 ABSTRACT: Central Oklahoma is undergoing investment in new intermodal transportation and rehabilitation of its infrastructure. Despite a highly variable historical climate, future changes resulting from anthropogenic climate […]

What is a bomb cyclone? An atmospheric scientist explains

Posted on January 27, 2022

MULLENS – What is a bomb cyclone? An atmospheric scientist explains Article first published online: 27 Jan 2022 A bomb cyclone is a large, intense midlatitude storm that has low pressure at its center, weather fronts and an array of associated weather, from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation. When a cyclone “bombs,” or […]

Focus Area 7: Geospatial Analysis & Techniques

Focus Area 7: Geospatial Analysis & Techniques Modeling, Measurement, Visualization and Computation: techniques for the collection, analysis, interpretation and display of geospatial data, using tools such as GeoAI, GIS, Remote Sensing, GPS, and Spatial Statistics. Sub Areas GEOAI: Geographic Artificial Intelligence Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Spatio-Temporal analysis Geospatial Modeling Remote Sensing Courses GIS 2002 The […]

Focus Area 6: Sustainability & Global Environmental Change

Focus Area 6: Sustainability & Global Environmental Change Major contemporary issues in global environmental change and sustainability are increasingly relevant for environmental management and development practice in both the developed and developing worlds. Global socio-ecological problems call for multidisciplinary solutions that transcend the usual boundaries of science and decision-making. Sub-areas Resilience Biodiversity Sea Level Rise Anthropocene […]

Focus Area 1: Earth System Science

Focus Area 1: Earth System Science This is the science of the atmosphere, land, biota, and water from a geospatial perspective. By combining contemporary issues such as climate change, environmental extremes, and hazards, this focus area emphasizes the integrative nature of physical and environmental geography. Earth systems scientists use biophysical understanding to identify and solve […]

Celebrating Women Geographers for Women’s History Month

Posted on March 1, 2021

Geography is a diverse field. Throughout the month of March, we will be highlighting the work of Women Geographers, some of whom are #GeoGators. Tierney Shimansky Tierney is a Master’s student who studies land management and conservation in southern Africa. Dr. Yin-Hsuen Chen Yin-Hsuen is a fluvial geomorphologist and Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of […]

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Posted on February 11, 2021

In observation of the 6th International Day of Women & Girls in Science, we celebrate the scientific contributions of female GeoGators – grad students, postdocs, and faculty.

Geography Colloquium: What does Extreme Precipitation mean to you? Coproducing knowledge to inform research

Posted on January 25, 2021

Speaker: Dr. Esther Mullens Associate Professor, Department of Geography, University of Florida Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:50-3:50 PM (Period 8) Turlington Hall 3018 and Zoom, livestreamed on YouTube University of Florida All are welcome to attend. This seminar will discuss ongoing research on predicting extreme precipitation at seasonal to sub-seasonal (S2S) timescales, focusing specifically on […]

GEO3930/GEO6938/GLY4930 Communicating Science

Posted on December 14, 2020

GEO3930 GEO6938 GLY4930 Communicating Science Scientists are trained to speak like scientists to scientists. But that distances us from the public! Solving the world’s problems requires everyone. How do we empower politicians, journalists, engineers, and others to take evidence-based actions? Through diverse readings and discussions we will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of research […]

GEO3334/GEO6938 Managing for a Changing Climate

Posted on November 19, 2020

GEO3334 GEO6938 Managing for a Changing Climate Graduate Course under “special topics”. Both UG/G offered as live and synchronous online. Please check selection. Do you know the truth about climate change? This course provides an integrative understanding of the components of the climate system. We will consider in depth the impacts of a changing climate […]

MET3503 Weather & Forecasting

Posted on July 2, 2020

MET3503 Weather & Forecasting Explores weather instrumentation and uses a lot of hands-on activities to interpret weather-related observations, maps, and graphs. Explores the physics concepts that drive the weather and the history of how we came to understand wind and storms. Covers numerical weather models, and how to properly use and interpret them. Part of […]

MET1010 Introduction to Weather and Climate (formerly GEO2242 Extreme Weather)

Posted on July 2, 2020

MET1010 Introduction to Weather and Climate (formerly GEO2242 Extreme Weather) We’ll learn the scientific fundamentals of Earth’s atmosphere and weather systems and understand how Earth’s climate system operates. We’ll see how the weather and climate impacts society and the natural environment. Learn about tornadoes, winter storms, hurricanes, rain, fronts, air masses, droughts, energy balances, floods, and why the […]

Shannon McCloskey recognized as University Scholar

Posted on June 16, 2020

Undergraduate researcher Shannon McCloskey has been recognized as a University Scholars awardee for her project “Exploring How Early Season Tropical Cyclones Indicate Full Season Activity”, under the supervision of Stephen Mullens. Shannon is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a Minor in Geography and a Certificate in Meteorology and Climatology. She is also the Treasurer of […]

GeoGator Class of 2020 Commencement

Posted on May 4, 2020

The Department of Geography Commencement for the GeoGator Class of 2020 was held online for the very first time on the 2nd of May, 2020. Watch the whole ceremony here! https://youtu.be/Z5_jfndqzrg Excerpts Dr. Jane Southworth addresses GeoGator Class of 2020 Dunkle Award Winner Sara Shir addresses GeoGator Class of 2020 Dr. Jason Blackburn addresses GeoGator Class […]

Met3503 Weather and Forecasting Fall 2019

Posted on March 29, 2019

Met3503 Weather and Forecasting Fall 2019 “Extreme Weather was cool, but this is a ton of fun!” We take Extreme Weather and go into more detail, and get way more hands on with the data! This isn’t just learning theory, it’s taking raw data and making actual forecasts! Preq: GEO2242 (Extreme Weather) T 2; R […]

Geo4938 – Geo6938 Communicating Science Fall 2019

Posted on March 29, 2019

Geo4938 – Geo6938 Communicating Science Fall 2019 Science is cool, but communicating science is what saves lives and improves the world. We discuss narrative and persuasion, ethics and trust, conspiracies and p-values. We discuss risk and education for media, policy, public, and scientist audiences. Graduate student? Let’s apply this to that thesis or dissertation! Tuesdays, […]

Geo3930 Managing for a Changing Climate Fall 2019

Posted on March 29, 2019

Geo3930 Managing for a Changing Climate Fall 2019 Do you know the truth about climate change? This high-impact course provides an integrative understanding of the components of the climate system. We will consider in depth the impacts of a changing climate on multiple sectors such as the economy, policy, urban environment, ecosystems, and indigenous populations. […]

Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA)

Posted on November 26, 2018

GLASS, MULLENS – Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA) Article first published online: NOV 2018 Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA) ABSTRACT: These Summary Findings represent a high-level synthesis of the material in the underlying report. The findings consolidate Key Messages and supporting evidence from 16 national-level topic chapters, 10 regional chapters, and 2 chapters that focus […]

Geography Colloquium: Weather, Warnings, and the Last Mile of Communication

Posted on November 7, 2018

Weather, Warnings, and the Last Mile of Communication Speaker: Stephen Mullens Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Florida Thursday, November 8, 2018 2:50-3:50 PM (Period 8) Turlington Hall Room 3012 University of Florida All are welcome to attend.

Geography Colloquium: Will the Extreme Rain Fall Mainly on the Plains? Rainfall Scenarios Under Climate Change for Oklahoma and Texas

Posted on September 19, 2018

Will the Extreme Rain Fall Mainly on the Plains? Rainfall Scenarios Under Climate Change for Oklahoma and Texas Speaker: Dr. Esther Mullens Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Florida Thursday, September 20, 2018 2:50-3:50 PM (Period 8) Turlington Hall Room 3012 University of Florida All are welcome to attend.

Dr. Esther Mullens to join UF Geography as Assistant Professor in Climate Science!

Posted on February 14, 2018

UF Geography is delighted to announce that Dr. Esther Mullens will be joining our program as a new Assistant Professor in Climate Science in Fall 2018. By training, Dr. Mullens is an Atmospheric Scientist with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Reading (UK) and a PhD from the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology. […]

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