Research Interests:

My interests are centered on topics in Synoptic Meteorology.  Current specific research focal points include diagnosing changes in the energy budget of the atmosphere (Zonal and Eddy available potential energy) as well as exploring Rossby wave and Rossby wave breaking frequencies and processes.  I am further exploring changes in synoptic scale patterns and variability in future climate simulations.  

Teaching Interests:

My teaching portfolio includes multiple general-education courses in our department as well as upper-level undergraduate courses in radar meteorology, synoptic meteorology and forecasting, and technical scientific writing and experimentation.  I have further explored introducing implementing new technologies into the classroom through a series of projects including the Snowflake Selfies project that explored new approaches toward documenting snowfall events, the utilization of 3D printing technology for printing observational equipment, and the new Penn State ReForecast Simulator that will introduce a new and innovative approach toward teaching weather forecasting (http://climate.met.psu.edu/reforecast/).

Publications:

Kumjian, M.R., J. S. Soderhom, S. W. Nesbitt, P. Maldonado, L.M. Luna, J. Marquis, K.A. Bowley, M.A. Imaz, and P. Salio, 2020: Gargantuan Hail in Argentina, Bull. Amer. Met. Soc., 101, E1241–E1258, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-19-0012.1

Kumjian, M.R., K.A. Bowley, P. Markowski, K. Lombardo, Z. Lebo, and P. Kollias, 2020: Snowflake Selfies: A low-cost, high-impact approach toward student engagement in scientific research, Bull. Amer. Met. Soc., 101, E917–E935, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-19-0096.1

Ma, J., K.A. Bowley, and F. Zhang, 2019: Evaluating the Forecast Performance of the Meiyu Front Rainbelt Position: A Case Study of the 30 June to 4 July 2016 Extreme Rainfall Event. Atmosphere, 10, 648, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10110648

Bowley, K.A., J.R. Gyakum, and E.H. Atallah, 2019: The Role of Dynamic Tropopause Rossby Wave Breaking for Synoptic-Scale Buildups in Northern Hemisphere Zonal Available Potential Energy. Mon. Wea. Rev., 147, 433–455, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-18-0143.1

Bowley, K.A., J.R. Gyakum, and E.H. Atallah, 2019: A New Perspective toward Cataloging Northern Hemisphere Rossby Wave Breaking on the Dynamic Tropopause. Mon. Wea. Rev., 147, 409–431, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-18-0131.1 

Bowley, K.A., E.H. Atallah, and J.R. Gyakum, 2018: Synoptic-Scale Zonal Available Potential Energy Increases in the Northern Hemisphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 75, 2385–2403, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-17-0292.1 

Bowley, K: Interpreting rapid increases of zonal available potential energy from a synoptic-scale perspective.  Ph.D. Thesis, McGill University, 2017.

Bowley, K: An Evaluation of the Observational Capabilities of a Scanning 95-GHz Radar in Studying the 3D Structures of Marine Stratocumulus Clouds.  M.Sc. Thesis, McGill University, 2012.