Jonathan E. Martin
Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Joined the faculty in 1994
Ph.D., University of Washington, 1992 (Atmospheric Sciences)
phone: 608-262-9845
email: jemarti1@wisc.edu
Analysis of mid-latitude, synoptic-scale weather systems; dynamics and kinematics of fronts and frontogenesis; cyclogenesis; structure and evolution of cyclones; energetics of the cyclone life cycle; meso- and synoptic-scale dynamics and precipitation production and distribution in mid-latitude and subtropical cyclones.
Recently the opinion has been voiced by some members of the research community that "the cyclone problem has been solved." Nothing could be farther from the truth!
Issues as seemingly clear- cut as the 3-D structure and evolution of mid- latitude cyclones are hotly debated topics. My research interests include the diagnosis of the structure of midwest winter cyclones and the effect that that structure has on both the production and distribution of precipitation within these cyclones. This work involves a combination of observational analysis (in which a multi-scale approach is used) as well as the use of high resolution meoscale numerical model simulations of selected storms. The "multi-scale" approach means that we consider processes that vary in scale from the planetary scale effects of the Rocky Mountain cordillera on the baroclinically unstable westerly flow, down to the micron-sized cloud microphysical processes responsible for the production of individual precipitation particles. This approach is compelled by the fact that the precipitation production and distribution in cyclones is the result of a scale interaction between all scales of motion in the atmosphere and that a consistent description of how the mid-latitutde cyclone really works cannot be given without considering all of these scale-dependent processes.
I have also become interested in the problem of cyclolysis, the last stage of the cyclone life cycle. Very little is really understood about this process despite the fact that cyclolysis represents such an important component of the complete life cycle. We have investigated this problem from the synoptic-climatological perspective as well as from the case study and local energetics perspective. Many outstanding issues remain in this broad topic.
B Recently our group has placed research emphasis on the distribution and nature of subtropical cyclones. Among the many questions that have arisen out of that work are 1) What processes are essential to the transformation of a subtropical cyclone with extratropical structures into a tropical cyclone?, 2) What processes lead to the development of active and inactive periods of subtropical cyclogenesis in the northern ocean basins?, and 3) What is the role of diabatic heating in the subtropical cyclone life cycle?
Our research group uses a variety of tools to conduct its research including fine-scale numerical models, local energetics diagnostics, quasi-geostrophic diagnostics, piecewise potential vorticity diagnostics, as well as a variety of statistical and compositing software packages developed specifically for the questions at hand. A student with an interest in observational as well as, or in combination with, dynamical/theoretical meteorology would be well served by the palette of research questions I am currently entertaining.
Beaty, P. T., J. E. Martin, A. C. Winters, and G. M. Lackmann, 2024: An unusual case of rapid cyclogenesis in the northeast Pacific basin. Part I: Overview and piecewise PV inversion. Mon. Wea. Rev., 152,(submitted),Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2024: Extratropical Cyclones. Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences, Third Edition, W. A. Robinson, Ed., Elsevier, p. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2024: Fronts and Frontogenesis. Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences, Third Edition, W. A. Robinson, Ed., Elsevier, p. Download a PDF copy
Naud, C. M., G. S. Elsaesser, P. Ghosh, J. E. Martin, and D. J. Posselt, 2024: How well does an Earth System Model represent the occlusion of extratropical cyclones? J. Climate, 37, (revised version), Download a PDF copy
Naud, C. M., P. Ghosh, J. E. Martin, G. S. Elsaesser, and D. J. Posselt, 2024: A CloudSat-CALIPSO view of cloud and precipitation in the occluded quadrants of extratropical cyclones. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 150, 1336-1356 Download a PDF copy
Clare, R. M., A. R. Desai, J. E. Martin, M. Notaro, and S. J. Vavrus, 2023: Extratropical cyclone response to projected reductions in snow extent over the Great Plains. Atmosphere, 14https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14050783 Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., and T. Norton, 2023: Waviness of the Southern Hemisphere wintertime polar and subtropical jets. Weather Clim. Dynam., 4, 875-886.Download a PDF copy.
Naud, C. M., J. E. Martin, P. Ghosh, G. Elsaesser, and D. J. Posselt, 2023: Automated identification of occluded sectors in mid-latitude cyclones: Method and some climatological applications.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 149, 1990-2010.Download a PDF copy
Madsen, M. M., and J. E. Martin, 2023: A self-organizing maps analysis of wintertime north Pacific jet stream variability. J. Climate, 36, 1863-1879.Download a PDF copy
Mooney, M. E., C. Middlecamp, J. E. Martin, and S. A. Ackerman, 2022: The demise of the knowledge-action gap in climate change education.Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 103, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-21-0256.1 Download a PDF copy
Handlos, Z. J., and J. E. Martin, 2021: The composite life cycle of west Pacific jet superposition events and the large-scale environmental response over western North America.Mon. Wea. Rev., 149, 1105-1124. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2021: Recent trends in the waviness of the Northern Hemisphere wintertime polar and subtropical jets. JGR:Atmospheres,126, e2020JD0336689. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD033668. Download a PDF copy
Breeden, M. L., R. Clare, J. E. Martin, and A. R. Desai, 2020: Diagnosing the influence of a receding snow boundary on simulated midlatitude cyclones using piecewise potential vorticity inversion. Mon. Wea. Rev., 148, 4479-4495. Download a PDF copy
Winters, A. C., D. Keyser, L. F. Bosart, and J. E. Martin, 2020: Composite synoptic-scale environments conducive to North American polar/subtropical jet superpostion events.Mon. Wea. Rev.,148, 1987-2008. Download a PDF copy
Wetzel, A. N., L. M. Smith, S. N. Stechmann, J. E. Martin, and Y. Zhang, 2020: Potential vorticity and balanced and unbalanced moisture.J. Atmos. Sci.,77, 1913-1931.Download a PDF copy
Wetzel, A. N., L. M. Smith, S. N. Stechmann, J. E. Martin, 2019: Balanced and unbalanced components of moist atmospheric flows with phase changesChin. Ann. Math. Ser. B,40(6), 1005-1038. Download a PDF copy
Wang, F., Vavrus, S. J., Francis, J. A., and J. E. Martin, 2019: The role of horizontal thermal advection in regulating wintertime mean and extreme temperatures over interior North America during the past and future. Climate Dynamics,,53, 6125-6144. Download a PDF copy
Breeden, M. and J. E. Martin, 2019: Evidence for nonlinear processes in fostering a north Pacific jet retraction. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,,145, 1559-1570. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2018: Evidence for increased waviness of the Northern Hemisphere wintertime polar and subtropical jets. J. Climate,31, (submitted) Download a PDF copy
Breeden, M. and J. E. Martin, 2018: Diagnosing the initiation of an extreme north Pacific jet retraction using piecewise tendency diagnosis. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,144, 1895-1913 Download a PDF copy
Kelnosky, R. T., G. J., Tripoli and J. E. Martin, 2018: Subtropical/polar jet influence on Plains and Southeast tornado outbreaks. Nat. Hazards, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-018-3306-z, 1-20. Download a PDF copy
Christenson, C. E., J. E. Martin, and Z. J. Handlos, 2017: A synoptic-climatology of Northern Hermisphere, cold season polar and subtropical jet superposition events. J. Climate,30, 7231-7246.Download a PDF copy
Winters, A. C., and J. E. Martin, 2017: Diagnosis of a North American polar/subtropical jet superposition employing potential vorticity inversion Mon. Wea. Rev.,145, 1853-1873. Download a PDF copy
Griffin, K. S., and J. E. Martin, 2017: Synoptic features associated with temporally coherent modes of variability of the north Pacific jet stream. J. Climate , 30, 39-54 Download a PDF copy
Vavrus, S. J., F. Wang, J. E. Martin, J. A. Francis, Y. Peings, and J. Cattiaux, 2017: Changes in North American circulation and extreme weather: Influence of arctic amplification and Northern Hemisphere snow cover. J. Climate ,30, 4317-4333 .Download a PDF copy
Handlos, Z. J., and J. E. Martin, 2016: Composite analysis of large-scale environments conducive to west Pacific polar/subtropical jet superposition J. Climate , 29, 7145-7165. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., S. J. Vavrus, F. Wang, and J. A. Francis, 2016: Sinuosity as a measure of middle tropospheric waviness. J. Climate, 29, (submitted) Download a PDF copy
Winters, A. C., and J. E. Martin, 2016: Synoptic and mesoscale processes supporting vertical superposition of the polar and subtropical jets in two contrasting cases Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,142, 1133-1149. Download a PDF copy
Karnauskas, K. B., J. P. Donnelly, H. C. Barkley, and J. E. Martin, 2015: Coupling between air travel and climate. Nature Climate Change, 5, doi:10.1038/NCLIMATE2715 Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2015: Contraction of the Northern Hemisphere, lower tropospheric, wintertime cold pool over the last 66 years. J. of Climate, 28, 3764-3778.Download a PDF copy
Winters, A. C., and J. E. Martin, 2014: The role of a polar/subtropical jet superposition in the May 2010 Nashville Flood. Wea. Forecasting, 29, 954-974.Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2014: Quasi-gesotrophic diagnosis of the influence of vorticity advection on the development of upper level jet-front systems. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 140, 2658-2671.Download a PDF copy
Kaplan, M. L., R. K. Vellore, J. M. Lewis, S. J. Underwood, P. M. Pauley, J. E. Martin, R. M. Rabin, and R. Krishnan, 2014: Subtropical-polar jet interactions in Southern Plains dust storms. JGR Atmospheres, 119, (in press)Download a PDF copy
Lang, A. A., and J. E. Martin, 2013c: Reply. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 139, 273-279.Download a PDF copy
Lang, A. A., and J. E. Martin, 2013b: The structure and evolution of lower stratospheric frontal zones. Part II: The influence of tropospheric convection on lower stratospheric frontal development. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 139, 1798-1809.Download a PDF copy
Delcambre, S. C., D. J. Lorenz, D. J. Vimont, and J. E. Martin, 2013a: Diagnosing Northern Hemisphere jet portrayal in 17 CMIP3 global climate models: Twentieth-century intermodel variability J. Climate,26, 4910-4929.Download a PDF copy
Delcambre, S. C., D. J. Lorenz, D. J. Vimont, and J. E. Martin, 2013b: Diagnosing Northern Hemisphere jet portrayal in 17 CMIP3 global climate models: Twenty-first-century projections. J. Climate, 26, (in press)Download a PDF copy
Kaplan, M. L., R. K. Vellore, J. M. Lewis, S. J. Underwood, P. M. Pauley, J. E. Martin, and R. Krishnan 2013a: Re-examination of the Interstate 5 dust storm.J. Geo. Res. (Atmopsheres),118, 627-642.Download a PDF copy
Kaplan, M. L., R. K. Vellore, J. M. Lewis, S. J. Underwood, P. M. Pauley, J. E. Martin, R. M. Rabin, and R. Krishnan 2013b: Subtropical-polar jet interactions in Southern Plains dust storms.J. Geo. Res. (Atmopsheres),118, 12,893-12,914.Download a PDF copy
Lang, A. A., and J. E. Martin, 2012: The structure and evolution of lower stratospheric frontal zones. Part I: Examples in northwesterly and southwesterly flow. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,,138, 1350-1365. Download a PDF copy
Jaffe, S. C., J. E. Martin, D. J. Vimont, and D. J. Lorenz, 2011: A synoptic-climatology of episodic, sub-seasonal retractions of the Pacific jet. J. Climate,24, 2846-2860.Download a PDF copy
Wu. L., J. E. Martin, and G. W. Petty, 2011: Piecewise potential vorticity diagnosis of the development of a polar low over the Sea of Japan.Tellus,63A,198-211.Download a PDF copy
Lang, A. A., and J. E. Martin, 2010: The influence of rotational frontogenesis and its associated shearwise vertical motions on the development of an upper-level front.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,136,239-252.Download a PDF copy
Hartung, D. C., J. A. Otkin, J. E. Martin, and D. D. Turner, 2010: The life cycle of an undular bore and its interaction with a shallow, intense cold front. Mon. Wea. Rev., 138, 886-908. Download a PDF copy
Hulme, A. L. and J. E. Martin, 2009a: Synoptic and frontal scale influences on tropical transition events in the Atlantic basin. Part I: A six case survey. Mon. Wea. Rev., 137, 3605-3625. Download a PDF copy
Hulme, A. L. and J. E. Martin, 2009b: Synoptic and frontal scale influences on tropical transition events in the Atlantic basin. Part II: Tropical transition of Hurricane Karen. Mon. Wea. Rev., 137, 3626-3650. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2009: Extratropical Cyclone Occlusion. Mc-Graw-Hill 2009 Yearbook of Science and Technology, McGraw-Hill Comapnies, p. 120-125. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2008: A southern Plains wintertime dust storm associated with a robust upper-level front. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136, (submitted) Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2007: Lower-tropospheric height tendencies associated with the shearwise and transverse components of quasi-geostrophic vertical motion. Mon. Wea. Rev.,135, 2803-2809. Download a PDF copy
Zimet, T. K., J. E. Martin, and B. E. Potter, 2007: The influence of an upper-level frontal zone on the Mack Lake wildfire environment. Met. Applications, 14, 131-147 Download a PDF copy
Thomas, B. C., and J. E. Martin, 2007: A synoptic climatology and composite analysis of the Alberta Clipper. Wea. Forecasting,22, 315-333 Download a PDF copy
Knippertz, P., and J. E. Martin, 2007: A Pacific moisture conveyor belt and its relationship to an unusual precipitation event in the semi-arid southwestern United States. Wea. Forecasting,22, 125-144. Download a PDF copy
Zhu, X, J. Sun, Z. Liu, Q. Liu, and J. E. Martin, 2007: A synoptic analysis of the interannual variability of winter cyclone activity in the Aleutian low region. J. Climate, 20, 1523-1538. Download a PDF copy
Knippertz, P., and J. E. Martin, 2007: The role of large-scale dynamic and diabatic processe s in the generation of cut-off lows over Northwest Africa. Meteorol. Atmos. Phys.,96,3-19. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 2006: The role of shearwise and transverse quasi-geostrophic vertical motions in the mid-latitude cyclone life cycle. Mon. Wea. Rev.,134, 1174-1193. Download a PDF copy
McLay, Justin, G., and J. E. Martin, 2005. Using filtering to mitigate stochastic model errors' effect on ensemble covariance. Part I: Evaluation of a prototype filtering scheme. Mon. Wea. Rev., (submitted) Download a PDF copy
McLay, Justin G., and J. E. Martin, 2005. Using filtering to mitigate stochast ic model errors' effect on ensemble covariance. Part II: Employment of filtered states in hybrid ensembles. Mon. Wea. Rev., (submitted) Download a PDF copy
Knippertz, P., and J. E. Martin, 2005a. Tropical plumes and extreme precipitation in subtropical and tropical West Africa.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,,131, 2337-2365. Download a PDF copy
Decker, S. G., and J. E. Martin, 2005. A local energetics analysis of the life cycle differences between consecutive, explosively deepening, continental cyclones. Mon. Wea. Rev.,133,295-316. Download a PDF copy
Posselt, D. J., and J. E. Martin, 2004. The effect of latent heat release on the evolution of a warm occluded thermal structure. Mon. Wea. Rev., 132, 578-599. Download a PDF copy and/or Additional Web-based material
Martin, J. E., and J. A. Otkin, 2004. The rapid growth and decay of an extratropical cyclone over the central Pacific Ocean. Wea. Forecasting, 19, 358-376. Download a PDF copy
Otkin, J. A., and J. E. Martin, 2004. A synoptic-climatology of the subtropical Kona storm. Mon. Wea. Rev., 132, 1502-1517. Download a PDF copy
Otkin, J. A., and J. E. Martin, 2004. The large-scale modulation of subtropical cyclogenesis in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Mon. Wea. Rev., 132, 1813-1828. Download a PDF copy
Wetzel, S. W., and J. E. Martin, 2002. Reply. Wea. Forecasting, 17, 168-171. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., and N. Marsili, 2002. Surface cyclolysis in the north Pacific Ocean. Part II: Piecewise potential vorticity analysis of a rapid cyclolysis event. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 1264-1281. Download a PDF copy
McLay, J. G., and J. E. Martin, 2002. Surface cyclolysis in the north Pacific Ocean. Part III: Composite local energetics of tropospheric-deep cyclone decay associated with rapid surface cyclolysis. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 2507-2529. Download a PDF copy and/or Additional Web-based material
Wetzel, S. W., and J. E. Martin, 2001. An operational ingredients-based methodology for forecasting mid-latitude winter season precipitation. Wea. Forecasting, 16, 156-167. Download a PDF copy and/or Additional Web-based material
Martin, J. E., R. A. Grauman, and N. Marsili, 2001. Surface cyclolysis in the north Pacific Ocean. Part I: A synoptic-climatology. Mon. Wea. Rev., 129, 748-765. Download a PDF copy
B Potter, B. E., and J. E. Martin, 2001. Accuracy of 24- and 48-hour forecasts of Haines' Index. Nat. Wea. Digest, 25, 38-46.
Korner, S. O., and J. E. Martin, 2000. Piecewise frontogenesis from a potential vorticity perspective: Methodology and a case study. Mon. Wea. Rev., 128, 1266-1288. Download a PDF copy
Kristovich et al., 2000. The Lake-Induced Convection Experiment and the Snowband Dynamics project. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 81, 519-542. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 1999a. Quasi-geostrophic forcing of ascent in the occluded sector of cyclones and the trowal airstream. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127, 70-88. Download a PDF copy and/or Additional Web-based material
Martin, J. E., 1999b. The separate roles of geostrophic vorticity and deformation in the mid-latitude occlusion process. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127, 2404-2418. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., 1998a. The structure and evolution of a continental winter cyclone. Part I: Frontal structure and the classical occlusion process. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 303-328. Download a PDF copy and/or Additional Web-based materials
Martin, J. E., 1998b. The structure and evolution of a continental winter cyclone. Part II: Frontal forcing of an extreme snow event. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 329-347. Download a PDF copy and/or Additional Web-based materials
Martin, J. E., 1998c. On the deformation term in the quasi-geostrophic omega equation. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 2000-2007. Download a PDF copy
Castle, J. A., J. D. Locatelli, J. E. Martin, and P. V. Hobbs, 1996. Structure and evolution of winter cyclones in the Central United States and their effects on the distribution of precipitation. Part IV: The evolution of a drytrough on 8-9 March 1992. Mon. Wea. Rev., 124, 1591-1595. Download a PDF copy
Hobbs, P. V., J. D. Locatelli, and J. E. Martin, 1996. A new conceptual model for cyclones generated in the lee of the Rocky Mountains. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 77, 1169-1178. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., J. D. Locatelli, P. Wang, J. Castle and P. V. Hobbs, 1995: Structure and evolution of winter cyclones in the central United States and their effects on the distribution of precipitation. Part I: a synoptic-scale rainband associated with a dryline and lee trough. Mon. Wea. Rev., 122, .Download a PDF copy
Wang, P., J. E. Martin, J. D. Locatelli, and P. V. Hobbs, 1995: Structure and Evolution. Part II: Arctic Fronts. Mon. Wea. Rev., 122, 1328-1344. Download a PDF copy
Locatelli, J. D., J. E. Martin, J. A. Castle, and P. V. Hobbs, 1995. Structure and evolution of winter cyclones in the Cent ral United States and their effects on the distribution of precipitation. Part III: The development of a squall line associated with weak cold frontogenesis aloft. Mon. Wea. Rev., 123, 2641-2662. Download a PDF copy
Locatelli, J. D., J. E. Martin, and P. V. Hobbs, 1994: A wide cold-frontal rainband and its relationship to frontal topography. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 120, 259-276.
Martin, J. E., J. D. Locatelli, and P. V. Hobbs, 1993: Organization and structure .... Part VI: The synoptic evolution of deep tropospheric frontal circulation and attendant cyclogenesis. Mon. Wea. Rev., 121, 1299-1316. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., J. P. Locatelli, and P. V. Hobbs, l992. Organization and structure of clouds and precipitation on the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States, Part V: The role of an upper-level front in the generation of a rainband. J. Atmos. Sci., 49, 1293-1303. Download a PDF copy
Martin, J. E., J. D. Locatelli, and P. V. Hobbs, 1990. Organization and structure of clouds and precipitation on the Mid-Atlantic Coast of the United States. Part III: The evolution of a middle tropospheric cold front. Mon. Wea. Rev., 118, 195-217. Download a PDF copy
Hobbs, P. V., J. D. Locatelli, and J. E. Martin, 1990. Cold fronts aloft and the forecasting of severe weather east of the Rocky Mountains. Weather and Forecasting, 5, 613-626. Download a PDF copy
RCS pictures from Whitcliffe Mount School
Polar and Subtropical Jets with 2 PVU Isertels
500 hPa Aggregate SIN contours
Audio file for Sutcliffe seminar - November 9, 2015
PPT for Sutcliffe seminar - November 9, 2015
Peter Hobbs Lecture, October 2024