Urbanisation, rainfall, and thermal environments
I investigate how urbanisation modifies rainfall and thermal environments using convection-permitting WRF simulations, time-evolving Local Climate Zone datasets, and GPM IMERG satellite observations. My research distinguishes urbanisation effects from natural climate variability and satellite retrieval uncertainty.
Multi-decadal Local Climate Zone mapping
We developed a scalable framework for generating temporally consistent Local Climate Zone (LCZ) maps that can be applied to cities worldwide. The framework was demonstrated for Greater Sydney by producing a unique multi-decadal LCZ dataset spanning 1990–2020, enabling the quantification of urban growth and providing time-evolving urban morphology for regional climate modelling.
High-resolution urban climate modelling
We conducted high-resolution convection-permitting WRF–Comfort simulations coupled with time-evolving Local Climate Zone land-cover datasets to quantify the climatic impacts of three decades of urban growth across Greater Sydney.
Urban heat and human thermal exposure
We quantified how three decades of urban growth altered daytime and nighttime temperatures, surface energy exchange, ventilation, and human thermal exposure across Greater Sydney.
Urban rainfall trends and IMERG retrieval uncertainty
We evaluated urban rainfall trends in GPM IMERG by separating genuine rainfall changes from retrieval artefacts associated with microwave sampling and satellite precipitation algorithms.
Urbanisation impacts on Sydney rainfall
We examine how urban growth influences rainfall intensity, frequency, extremes, spatial distribution, and storm behaviour using convection-permitting simulations.
Rainfall object tracking and storm dynamics
We are analysing storm movement, evolution, merging, splitting, and lifecycle to determine how urban environments influence convective rainfall organisation.
Research approaches
Numerical modelling
Convection-permitting WRF simulations with BEP/BEM, urban canopy models, and time-evolving Local Climate Zone land cover.
Earth observation
GPM IMERG satellite precipitation, Landsat-based urban mapping, reanalysis products, and surface observations.
Geospatial analysis
Local Climate Zone classification, GIS analysis, spatial attribution, and multi-decadal urban change assessment.
Storm analysis
Rainfall object tracking, lifecycle analysis, and identification of merging, splitting, and movement characteristics.