Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL)
The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) develops and uses mathematical models and computer simulations to improve understanding and prediction of the behavior of the atmosphere, the oceans, and climate. Since 1955 the GFDL has influenced the world's research on the modeling of global climate change and has played a significant role in the World Meteorological Organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments, and the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. GFDL scientists focus on model-building relevant for society, such as hurricane research, prediction, and seasonal forecasting, and understanding global and regional climate change.
The GFDL develops and uses their Ocean and Atmospheric climate models to increase the understanding of climate variability and change on seasonal to centennial time scales, to assess the predictability of the climate system, and to make experimental climate predictions. Other models developed by GFDL include Land and Earth System models
The Climate and Ecosystems group studies the impacts of climate changes on ecosystems, and the influence of ecosystem changes on climate. It also includes interactions between human activities, ecosystems, and climate. This group uses GFDL’s Earth System Models and observations for these studies. GFDL's Climate Dynamics and Prediction Group is charged with studying and modeling climate phenomena on seasonal to multi-century time scales. And the primary goal of scientists in GFDL's Oceans and Climate Group is to provide a fundamental understanding of the ocean's role in the earth's physical climate system and global biogeochemical cycles.
The Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics group works to improve the understanding of atmospheric circulations ranging in scale from hurricanes to extratropical storms and the general circulation, with an emphasis on extreme weather events and the interplay between weather phenomena and climate variability and change, using comprehensive high resolution atmospheric modeling and idealized dynamical studies. Examples of research projects include hurricane modeling, cyclone modeling, and general circulation dynamics.
On the GFDL website, many resources are available, including their visualization tool (VisGallery - see separate resource entry) and data portal.
Phone: (609) 452-6500
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