Kenneth Kunkel

Dr. Kunkel’s recent research has focused on climate variability and change, particularly related to extreme events, such as heavy precipitation, heat waves, cold waves, and winter storms. A particular focus has been the historical variations in the frequency and intensity of such extreme events extending from the late 19th Century to the present. An examination of late 19th and early 20th Century variations is important because it establishes the quasi-natural background which provides a context for interpreting recent variations and possible anthropogenic influences.

He has also engaged in the diagnostic analysis of both regional and global climate model output. This has focused on the regional fidelity of model simulations of the climate of the U.S., including such features as the North American monsoon and the lack of 20th Century warming in the central U.S.

He has developed a number of applications of climate data, including a temperature-based model that anticipates the risk of West Nile Virus infections and a soil moisture model for agricultural usage in the Midwest.

Due to his interest and involvement in issues related to climate variability and change, he has been a lead author on two recent reports of the U.S. Climate Change Program: Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate and Climate Models: An Assessment of Strengths and Limitations.

Dr. Kunkel joined CICS-NC as a Senior Scientist and Science Lead for Assessments, and, the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences as a Research Professor in September 2010.