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Gregory S Elsaesser

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Gregory S Elsaesser

  • ASSOC. RESEARCH SCIENTIST
  • 212.678.5596
  • NASA GISS
  • 2880 Broadway
  • New York , NY 10025
  • Employer: TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

    • Brief Bio

    Gregory Elsaesser's research focuses on the use of observations from multiple satellites (Aqua AIRS, GPM, TRMM) and NASA/DOE field campaigns to improve our understanding of convection and the environment in which it is developing. Knowledge gained is used to improve global climate model parameterizations. He also develops satellite algorithms for the retrieval of and creation of rain and cloud property records. Recent work includes development of the Multisensor Advanced Climatology of Liquid Water Path (MAC-LWP) record for improved cloud LWP observations in stratocumulus regimes and constraints on total LWP observations in deep convective regions, and improvement to the parameterization of ice and liquid in convective updrafts for use in the GISS Model E3 GCM.

    Education

    Ph.D. Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado (2011)
    o Dissertation: " TROPICAL RAINFALL REGIMES AND THEIR EVOLUTION ON HOURLY TO DAILY TIMESCALES"; Advisor: C. Kummerow


    M. S. Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado (2006)
    o Thesis: "A PARAMETRIC OPTIMAL ESTIMATION RETRIEVAL OF THE NON-PRECIPITATING PARAMETERS OVER THE GLOBAL OCEANS"; Advisor: C. Kummerow


    B. S. Atmospheric Science, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (2002)
     

    Professional Service

    Service as a Manuscript Reviewer for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, Journal of Climate, Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres, Journal of Hydrometeorology, Monthly Weather Review, Weather and Forecasting.  Service as a Proposal Reviewer for NASA Remote Sensing, NASA Precipitation Measurement Missions (PMM), and NASA Postdoctoral Programs (NPP). 

    Publications

    Refereed

    Schiro, K. A., H. Su, F. Ahmed, et al. N. Dai, C. E. Singer, P. Gentine, G. S. Elsaesser, J. H. Jiang, Y.-S. Choi, and J. David Neelin. 2022. "Model spread in tropical low cloud feedback tied to overturning circulation response to warming." Nature Communications, 13 (1): 7119 [10.1038/s41467-022-34787-4]

    Hannah, W., K. Pressel, M. Ovchinnikov, and G. Elsaesser. 2022. "Checkerboard patterns in E3SMv2 and E3SM-MMFv2." Geoscientific Model Development, 15 (15): 6243-6257 [10.5194/gmd-15-6243-2022]

    Ramos, R. D., A. N. LeGrande, M. L. Griffiths, et al. G. S. Elsaesser, D. T. Litchmore, J. E. Tierney, F. S. Pausata, and J. Nusbaumer. 2022. "Constraining Clouds and Convective Parameterizations in a Climate Model Using Paleoclimate Data." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 14 (8): [10.1029/2021ms002893]

    Elsaesser, G. S., R. Roca, T. Fiolleau, A. D. Del Genio, and J. Wu. 2022. "A Simple Model for Tropical Convective Cloud Shield Area Growth and Decay Rates Informed by Geostationary IR, GPM, and Aqua/AIRS Satellite Data." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 127 (10): [10.1029/2021jd035599]

    McCoy, D. T., P. Field, M. E. Frazer, et al. M. D. Zelinka, G. S. Elsaesser, J. Mülmenstädt, I. Tan, T. A. Myers, and Z. J. Lebo. 2022. "Extratropical Shortwave Cloud Feedbacks in the Context of the Global Circulation and Hydrological Cycle." Geophysical Research Letters, 49 (8): [10.1029/2021gl097154]

    Nazarenko, L. S., N. Tausnev, G. L. Russell, et al. D. Rind, R. L. Miller, G. A. Schmidt, S. E. Bauer, M. Kelley, R. Ruedy, A. S. Ackerman, I. Aleinov, M. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. Canuto, G. Cesana, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, B. I. Cook, C. A. Cruz, A. D. Genio, G. S. Elsaesser, G. Faluvegi, N. Y. Kiang, D. Kim, A. A. Lacis, A. Leboissetier, A. N. LeGrande, K. K. Lo, J. Marshall, E. E. Matthews, S. McDermid, K. Mezuman, L. T. Murray, V. Oinas, C. Orbe, C. P. García‐Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, A. Romanou, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, K. Tsigaridis, G. Tselioudis, E. Weng, J. Wu, and M. Yao. 2022. "Future Climate Change under SSP Emission Scenarios with GISS‐E2.1." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, (In Press) [10.1029/2021ms002871]

    Russotto, R. D., J. D. Strong, S. J. Camargo, et al. A. Sobel, G. S. Elsaesser, M. Kelley, A. Del Genio, Y. Moon, and D. Kim. 2022. "Evolution of Tropical Cyclone Properties Across the Development Cycle of the GISS‐E3 Global Climate Model." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 14 (1): [10.1029/2021ms002601]

    Lin, L., Q. Fu, X. Liu, et al. Y. Shan, S. E. Giangrande, G. S. Elsaesser, K. Yang, and D. Wang. 2021. "Improved Convective Ice Microphysics Parameterization in the NCAR CAM Model." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 126 (9): [10.1029/2020jd034157]

    Miller, R. L., G. A. Schmidt, L. Nazarenko, et al. S. E. Bauer, M. Kelley, R. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, A. Ackerman, I. Aleinov, M. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. Canuto, G. Cesana, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, B. Cook, C. A. Cruz, A. D. Del Genio, G. S. Elsaesser, G. Faluvegi, N. Y. Kiang, D. Kim, A. A. Lacis, A. Leboissetier, A. N. LeGrande, K. K. Lo, J. Marshall, E. E. Matthews, S. McDermid, K. Mezuman, L. T. Murray, V. Oinas, C. Orbe, C. P. García‐Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. Rind, A. Romanou, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, N. Tausnev, K. Tsigaridis, G. Tselioudis, E. Weng, J. Wu, and M. Yao. 2021. "CMIP6 Historical Simulations (1850‐2014) with GISS‐E2.1." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 13: e2019MS002034 [10.1029/2019ms002034]

    McCoy, D. T., P. Field, A. Bodas-Salcedo, G. S. Elsaesser, and M. D. Zelinka. 2020. "A Regime-Oriented Approach to Observationally Constraining Extratropical Shortwave Cloud Feedbacks." Journal of Climate, 33 (23): 9967-9983 [10.1175/jcli-d-19-0987.1]

    Schiro, K. A., S. C. Sullivan, Y.-H. Kuo, et al. H. Su, P. Gentine, G. S. Elsaesser, J. H. Jiang, and J. D. Neelin. 2020. "Environmental Controls on Tropical Mesoscale Convective System Precipitation Intensity." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 77 (12): 4233-4249 [10.1175/jas-d-20-0111.1]

    Kelley, M., G. A. Schmidt, L. S. Nazarenko, et al. S. E. Bauer, R. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, A. S. Ackerman, I. Aleinov, M. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. Canuto, G. Cesana, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, B. I. Cook, C. A. Cruz, A. D. Del Genio, G. S. Elsaesser, G. Faluvegi, N. Y. Kiang, D. Kim, A. A. Lacis, A. Leboissetier, A. N. LeGrande, K. K. Lo, J. Marshall, E. E. Matthews, S. McDermid, K. Mezuman, R. L. Miller, L. T. Murray, V. Oinas, C. Orbe, C. P. García‐Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. Rind, A. Romanou, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, N. Tausnev, K. Tsigaridis, G. Tselioudis, E. Weng, J. Wu, and M. Yao. 2020. "GISS‐E2.1: Configurations and Climatology." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 12 (8): [10.1029/2019ms002025]

    Cheng, Y., V. M. Canuto, A. M. Howard, et al. A. S. Ackerman, M. Kelley, A. M. Fridlind, G. A. Schmidt, M. S. Yao, A. Del Genio, and G. S. Elsaesser. 2020. "A Second-Order Closure Turbulence Model: New Heat Flux Equations and No Critical Richardson Number." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 77 (8): 2743-2759 [10.1175/jas-d-19-0240.1]

    Cesana, G., A. D. Del Genio, A. S. Ackerman, et al. M. Kelley, G. Elsaesser, A. M. Fridlind, Y. Cheng, and M.-S. Yao. 2019. "Evaluating models' response of tropical low clouds to SST forcings using CALIPSO observations." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 19 (5): 2813-2832 [10.5194/acp-19-2813-2019]

    Schmidt, G. A., D. Bader, L. J. Donner, et al. G. S. Elsaesser, J.-C. Golaz, C. Hannay, A. Molod, R. B. Neale, and S. Saha. 2017. "Practice and philosophy of climate model tuning across six US modeling centers." Geoscientific Model Development, 10 (9): 3207-3223 [10.5194/gmd-10-3207-2017]

    Elsaesser, G. S., A. D. Del Genio, J. H. Jiang, and M. van Lier-Walqui. 2017. "An Improved Convective Ice Parameterization for the NASA GISS Global Climate Model and Impacts on Cloud Ice Simulation." Journal of Climate, 30 (1): 317-336 [10.1175/jcli-d-16-0346.1]

    Hannah, W. M., B. E. Mapes, and G. S. Elsaesser. 2016. "A Lagrangian View of Moisture Dynamics During DYNAMO." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 73 (5): 1967-1985 [10.1175/jas-d-15-0243.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., and C. D. Kummerow. 2015. "The Sensitivity of Rainfall Estimation to Error Assumptions in a Bayesian Passive Microwave Retrieval Algorithm." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 54 (2): 408-422 [10.1175/jamc-d-14-0105.1]

    Duncan, D. I., C. D. Kummerow, and G. S. Elsaesser. 2014. "A Lagrangian Analysis of Deep Convective Systems and Their Local Environmental Effects." J. Climate, 27 (5): 2072-2086 [10.1175/jcli-d-13-00285.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., and C. D. Kummerow. 2013. "A Multisensor Observational Depiction of the Transition from Light to Heavy Rainfall on Subdaily Time Scales." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 70 (7): 2309-2324 [10.1175/jas-d-12-0210.1]

    Wang, F., C. Kummerow, A. J. Geer, P. Bauer, and G. Elsaesser. 2012. "Comparing rain retrievals from GPROF with ECMWF 1D-Var products." Q.J.R. Meteorol. Soc., 138 (668): 1852-1866 [10.1002/qj.1931]

    Munchak, S., C. Kummerow, and G. Elsaesser. 2012. "Relationships between the Raindrop Size Distribution and Properties of the Environment and Clouds Inferred from TRMM." J. Climate, 25 (8): 2963-2978 [10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00274.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., C. D. Kummerow, T. S. L’Ecuyer, Y. N. Takayabu, and S. Shige. 2010. "Observed Self-Similarity of Precipitation Regimes over the Tropical Oceans." J. Climate, 23 (10): 2686-2698 [10.1175/2010jcli3330.1]

    Rapp, A. D., G. Elsaesser, and C. Kummerow. 2009. "A Combined Multisensor Optimal Estimation Retrieval Algorithm for Oceanic Warm Rain Clouds." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 48 (11): 2242-2256 [10.1175/2009jamc2156.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., and C. D. Kummerow. 2008. "Toward a Fully Parametric Retrieval of the Nonraining Parameters over the Global Oceans." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 47 (6): 1599-1618 [10.1175/2007jamc1712.1]

    Brief Bio

    Gregory Elsaesser's research focuses on the use of observations from multiple satellites (Aqua AIRS, GPM, TRMM) and NASA/DOE field campaigns to improve our understanding of convection and the environment in which it is developing. Knowledge gained is used to improve global climate model parameterizations. He also develops satellite algorithms for the retrieval of and creation of rain and cloud property records. Recent work includes development of the Multisensor Advanced Climatology of Liquid Water Path (MAC-LWP) record for improved cloud LWP observations in stratocumulus regimes and constraints on total LWP observations in deep convective regions, and improvement to the parameterization of ice and liquid in convective updrafts for use in the GISS Model E3 GCM.

    Publications

    Refereed

    Schiro, K. A., H. Su, F. Ahmed, et al. N. Dai, C. E. Singer, P. Gentine, G. S. Elsaesser, J. H. Jiang, Y.-S. Choi, and J. David Neelin. 2022. "Model spread in tropical low cloud feedback tied to overturning circulation response to warming." Nature Communications 13 (1): 7119 [10.1038/s41467-022-34787-4]

    Hannah, W., K. Pressel, M. Ovchinnikov, and G. Elsaesser. 2022. "Checkerboard patterns in E3SMv2 and E3SM-MMFv2." Geoscientific Model Development 15 (15): 6243-6257 [10.5194/gmd-15-6243-2022]

    Ramos, R. D., A. N. LeGrande, M. L. Griffiths, et al. G. S. Elsaesser, D. T. Litchmore, J. E. Tierney, F. S. Pausata, and J. Nusbaumer. 2022. "Constraining Clouds and Convective Parameterizations in a Climate Model Using Paleoclimate Data." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 14 (8): [10.1029/2021ms002893]

    Elsaesser, G. S., R. Roca, T. Fiolleau, A. D. Del Genio, and J. Wu. 2022. "A Simple Model for Tropical Convective Cloud Shield Area Growth and Decay Rates Informed by Geostationary IR, GPM, and Aqua/AIRS Satellite Data." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 127 (10): [10.1029/2021jd035599]

    McCoy, D. T., P. Field, M. E. Frazer, et al. M. D. Zelinka, G. S. Elsaesser, J. Mülmenstädt, I. Tan, T. A. Myers, and Z. J. Lebo. 2022. "Extratropical Shortwave Cloud Feedbacks in the Context of the Global Circulation and Hydrological Cycle." Geophysical Research Letters 49 (8): [10.1029/2021gl097154]

    Nazarenko, L. S., N. Tausnev, G. L. Russell, et al. D. Rind, R. L. Miller, G. A. Schmidt, S. E. Bauer, M. Kelley, R. Ruedy, A. S. Ackerman, I. Aleinov, M. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. Canuto, G. Cesana, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, B. I. Cook, C. A. Cruz, A. D. Genio, G. S. Elsaesser, G. Faluvegi, N. Y. Kiang, D. Kim, A. A. Lacis, A. Leboissetier, A. N. LeGrande, K. K. Lo, J. Marshall, E. E. Matthews, S. McDermid, K. Mezuman, L. T. Murray, V. Oinas, C. Orbe, C. P. García‐Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, A. Romanou, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, K. Tsigaridis, G. Tselioudis, E. Weng, J. Wu, and M. Yao. 2022. "Future Climate Change under SSP Emission Scenarios with GISS‐E2.1." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems (In Press) [10.1029/2021ms002871]

    Russotto, R. D., J. D. Strong, S. J. Camargo, et al. A. Sobel, G. S. Elsaesser, M. Kelley, A. Del Genio, Y. Moon, and D. Kim. 2022. "Evolution of Tropical Cyclone Properties Across the Development Cycle of the GISS‐E3 Global Climate Model." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 14 (1): [10.1029/2021ms002601]

    Lin, L., Q. Fu, X. Liu, et al. Y. Shan, S. E. Giangrande, G. S. Elsaesser, K. Yang, and D. Wang. 2021. "Improved Convective Ice Microphysics Parameterization in the NCAR CAM Model." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 126 (9): [10.1029/2020jd034157]

    Miller, R. L., G. A. Schmidt, L. Nazarenko, et al. S. E. Bauer, M. Kelley, R. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, A. Ackerman, I. Aleinov, M. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. Canuto, G. Cesana, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, B. Cook, C. A. Cruz, A. D. Del Genio, G. S. Elsaesser, G. Faluvegi, N. Y. Kiang, D. Kim, A. A. Lacis, A. Leboissetier, A. N. LeGrande, K. K. Lo, J. Marshall, E. E. Matthews, S. McDermid, K. Mezuman, L. T. Murray, V. Oinas, C. Orbe, C. P. García‐Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. Rind, A. Romanou, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, N. Tausnev, K. Tsigaridis, G. Tselioudis, E. Weng, J. Wu, and M. Yao. 2021. "CMIP6 Historical Simulations (1850‐2014) with GISS‐E2.1." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 13 e2019MS002034 [10.1029/2019ms002034]

    McCoy, D. T., P. Field, A. Bodas-Salcedo, G. S. Elsaesser, and M. D. Zelinka. 2020. "A Regime-Oriented Approach to Observationally Constraining Extratropical Shortwave Cloud Feedbacks." Journal of Climate 33 (23): 9967-9983 [10.1175/jcli-d-19-0987.1]

    Schiro, K. A., S. C. Sullivan, Y.-H. Kuo, et al. H. Su, P. Gentine, G. S. Elsaesser, J. H. Jiang, and J. D. Neelin. 2020. "Environmental Controls on Tropical Mesoscale Convective System Precipitation Intensity." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 77 (12): 4233-4249 [10.1175/jas-d-20-0111.1]

    Kelley, M., G. A. Schmidt, L. S. Nazarenko, et al. S. E. Bauer, R. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, A. S. Ackerman, I. Aleinov, M. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. Canuto, G. Cesana, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, B. I. Cook, C. A. Cruz, A. D. Del Genio, G. S. Elsaesser, G. Faluvegi, N. Y. Kiang, D. Kim, A. A. Lacis, A. Leboissetier, A. N. LeGrande, K. K. Lo, J. Marshall, E. E. Matthews, S. McDermid, K. Mezuman, R. L. Miller, L. T. Murray, V. Oinas, C. Orbe, C. P. García‐Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. Rind, A. Romanou, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, N. Tausnev, K. Tsigaridis, G. Tselioudis, E. Weng, J. Wu, and M. Yao. 2020. "GISS‐E2.1: Configurations and Climatology." Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 12 (8): [10.1029/2019ms002025]

    Cheng, Y., V. M. Canuto, A. M. Howard, et al. A. S. Ackerman, M. Kelley, A. M. Fridlind, G. A. Schmidt, M. S. Yao, A. Del Genio, and G. S. Elsaesser. 2020. "A Second-Order Closure Turbulence Model: New Heat Flux Equations and No Critical Richardson Number." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 77 (8): 2743-2759 [10.1175/jas-d-19-0240.1]

    Cesana, G., A. D. Del Genio, A. S. Ackerman, et al. M. Kelley, G. Elsaesser, A. M. Fridlind, Y. Cheng, and M.-S. Yao. 2019. "Evaluating models' response of tropical low clouds to SST forcings using CALIPSO observations." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 19 (5): 2813-2832 [10.5194/acp-19-2813-2019]

    Schmidt, G. A., D. Bader, L. J. Donner, et al. G. S. Elsaesser, J.-C. Golaz, C. Hannay, A. Molod, R. B. Neale, and S. Saha. 2017. "Practice and philosophy of climate model tuning across six US modeling centers." Geoscientific Model Development 10 (9): 3207-3223 [10.5194/gmd-10-3207-2017]

    Elsaesser, G. S., A. D. Del Genio, J. H. Jiang, and M. van Lier-Walqui. 2017. "An Improved Convective Ice Parameterization for the NASA GISS Global Climate Model and Impacts on Cloud Ice Simulation." Journal of Climate 30 (1): 317-336 [10.1175/jcli-d-16-0346.1]

    Hannah, W. M., B. E. Mapes, and G. S. Elsaesser. 2016. "A Lagrangian View of Moisture Dynamics During DYNAMO." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 73 (5): 1967-1985 [10.1175/jas-d-15-0243.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., and C. D. Kummerow. 2015. "The Sensitivity of Rainfall Estimation to Error Assumptions in a Bayesian Passive Microwave Retrieval Algorithm." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 54 (2): 408-422 [10.1175/jamc-d-14-0105.1]

    Duncan, D. I., C. D. Kummerow, and G. S. Elsaesser. 2014. "A Lagrangian Analysis of Deep Convective Systems and Their Local Environmental Effects." J. Climate 27 (5): 2072-2086 [10.1175/jcli-d-13-00285.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., and C. D. Kummerow. 2013. "A Multisensor Observational Depiction of the Transition from Light to Heavy Rainfall on Subdaily Time Scales." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 70 (7): 2309-2324 [10.1175/jas-d-12-0210.1]

    Wang, F., C. Kummerow, A. J. Geer, P. Bauer, and G. Elsaesser. 2012. "Comparing rain retrievals from GPROF with ECMWF 1D-Var products." Q.J.R. Meteorol. Soc. 138 (668): 1852-1866 [10.1002/qj.1931]

    Munchak, S., C. Kummerow, and G. Elsaesser. 2012. "Relationships between the Raindrop Size Distribution and Properties of the Environment and Clouds Inferred from TRMM." J. Climate 25 (8): 2963-2978 [10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00274.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., C. D. Kummerow, T. S. L’Ecuyer, Y. N. Takayabu, and S. Shige. 2010. "Observed Self-Similarity of Precipitation Regimes over the Tropical Oceans." J. Climate 23 (10): 2686-2698 [10.1175/2010jcli3330.1]

    Rapp, A. D., G. Elsaesser, and C. Kummerow. 2009. "A Combined Multisensor Optimal Estimation Retrieval Algorithm for Oceanic Warm Rain Clouds." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 48 (11): 2242-2256 [10.1175/2009jamc2156.1]

    Elsaesser, G. S., and C. D. Kummerow. 2008. "Toward a Fully Parametric Retrieval of the Nonraining Parameters over the Global Oceans." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 47 (6): 1599-1618 [10.1175/2007jamc1712.1]

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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