Professor Cathryn Birch

Can you tell us about your research, work and expertise in Southeast Asia?

My research over Southeast Asia has involved understanding the ways in which thunderstorms form and cause extreme rainfall, which often leads to flooding and landslides. I use a range of tools such as high-resolution climate modelling and satellite observations.

I have worked with scientists and weather forecasters across the region to improve forecasting of extreme weather. My team have developed nowcasting techniques using machine learning to predict the development of thunderstorms a few hours in advance and have tested these with the Indonesian Met Service (BMKG).