Climate modeler Aditi Sheshadri says that while weather forecasting and climate projection are based on similar science, they are very different disciplines. Forecasting is about looking at next week, while projection is about looking at the next century. Sheshadri tells host Russ Altman how new data and techniques, like low-cost high-altitude balloons and AI, are reshaping the future of climate projection on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to [email protected].

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Aditi Sheshadri

Connect With Us:

• Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
• Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
• Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Aditi Sheshadri, a professor of Earth systems science at Stanford University.

(00:02:58) Climate Projection vs. Weather Forecasting

The differences between climate projection and weather forecasting.

(00:04:58) The Window of Chaos

The concept of the "window of chaos" in climate modeling.

(00:06:11) Scale of Climate Models

The limitations and scale of climate model boxes.

(00:08:19) Computational Constraints

Computational limitations on grid size and time steps in climate modeling.

(00:10:56) Parameters in Climate Modeling

Essential parameters measured, such as density, temperature, and water vapor.

(00:12:18) Oceans in Climate Models

The role of oceans in climate modeling and their integration into projections.

(00:14:35) Atmospheric Gravity Waves

Atmospheric gravity waves and their impact on weather patterns.

(00:18:51) Polar Vortex and Cyclones

Research on the polar vortex and on tropical cyclone frequency.

(00:21:53) Climate Research and Public Awareness

Communicating climate model findings to relevant audiences.

(00:23:33) New Data Sources

How unexpected data from a Google project aids climate research,

(00:25:09) Geoengineering Considerations

Geoengineering and the need for thorough modeling before intervention.

(00:28:19) Conclusion

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook