Research in the DPA team focuses on the dynamics and physics of the atmosphere from turbulent scale to planetary scale. Fundamental processes and mechanisms are studied using a large variety of observations (satellite, field campaigns), and a hierarchy of theoretical and numerical models.

Current research concerns several topics at different latitudes and in different layers of the atmosphere such as: (i) convection organization and the formation of tropical cyclones, (ii) extratropical cyclones in both hemispheres with a focus in the Northern Hemisphere, in particular over the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean sea and the Arctic region, (iii) stratospheric anticyclonic vortices formed by the emission of aerosols during volcanoes eruptions and megawild fires, (iv) climate extremes events (e.g., heat waves). Originally, turbulence in geophysical fluids was the starting major theme of the DPA team and is still an active research topic in particular looking at the effect of turbulence and convective clouds on Earth radiative budget. The effect of gravity waves emitted from convective clouds, mountains or flow instabilities on the stratosphere is also a major topic. Finally, part of the team works on synoptic and planetary waves propagating over the globe, on large-scale climate oscillations (e.g., annular modes, North Atlantic Oscillations) and weather regimes (e.g., blockings), together with their effects on high-impact weather extremes in a changing climate.

The methodologies used by the team are very diverse. It combines advanced concepts from theoretical physics, numerical modelling and observations obtained from various field campaigns deploying aircraft and balloons. Some of us develop innovative instruments, some others work on the development of numerical models of the atmosphere and the representation of various processes in such models. As such, the team contributes to the development of various components of the IPSL climate model and its atmospheric component LMDZ.