
Overview
Background
Professor Hamish McGowan is a Geographer and Professor of Atmospheric and Climate Sciences with research interests in: Local and regional scale windfields in complex terrain, Severe weather (thunderstorms, bushfire meteorology), Earth surface – atmosphere energy and trace gas exchanges, Aeolian dust transport (meteorological controls on wind erosion, dust transport and the impacts on regional and global climate dynamics), Palaeoclimate reconstructions, Mountain meteorology and hydroclimate. He leads the Atmospheric Observations Research Group https://sites.google.com/view/uqaorg/home
Hamish received his PhD from the University of Canterbury in 1995. His research interests are in the fields of:
- Meteorological hazards
- Earth surface - atmosphere interactions and energetics
- The Weather and Climates of Alpine and Mountainous Regions
- Long Range Dust Transport and Climate Impacts
- Climate dynamics
- Palaeoclimate reconstruction
Availability
- Professor Hamish McGowan is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, University of Canterbury
- Masters (Research) of Science, University of Canterbury
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Canterbury
Research interests
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Earth surface – atmosphere energetics
This field of research investigates Earth surface – atmosphere interactions over complex terrain in marine, coastal, mountain and desert environments. Collectively, this research aims to shed new light on thermodynamic behaviour of the lower atmosphere under different weather patterns, teleconnection variability, and the effects of land use heterogeneity. The research has involved significant collaborations with the Centre for Atmospheric Research, University of Canterbury, NZ; the Byrd Polar Research Centre, Ohio State University; Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA and the Geological Survey of Israel. At UQ collaboration has been with the School of Civil Engineering and Advanced Water Management Centre. Notable research in this field has resulted in fundamental advances in understanding of Earth-surface – atmosphere interactions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica including identification of foehn winds as the cause of air temperature increases > 50°C in 3 to 4 hours. The origin of these winds had remained a mystery since Scott’s exploration of the MDVs almost 100 years ago. On the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, a multi-year investigation that I initiated and led quantified for the first time by direct measurement energy and trace gas fluxes over coral reefs using eddy covariance. Results include first direct measurements of reef-water-atmosphere energy exchanges including during a coral bleaching event, and the first direct measurements of CO2 exchanges. This research has been published widely in journals of the American Meteorological Society and the American Geophysical Union [see: https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JD029830]. Research in this thematic area is expanding further with research initiatives investigating the atmospheric boundary layer energetics of severe thunderstorms and bushfires in eastern Australia. New projects in this area are also seeking to quantify the energy balance of the Australian seasonal snow pack and energy and trace gas exchanges over coral reefs in the Red Sea.
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Climate Variability
Research I lead under this theme focuses on identifying and unpacking the relevant drivers of climate variability and their associated scales of effect, which are used to develop new climate forecasting tools. I have led research that has improved accuracy and confidence of predictions of future climate which has shown for the first time terrestrial impacts in Australia of Northern Hemisphere climate reversals, and confirmed the causes of inter-annual to inter-centennial drought in eastern Australia. Research in this theme area using peat cores from the remote Kimberley of northwest Australia showed El Niño as the likely cause of catastrophe change in Aboriginal culture during the past 6000 years and confirmed that breakdown of deep water circulation in the North Atlantic under a warming world would likely result in severe and devastating drought in eastern Australia. Collaborations in this area have been with researchers in Australia (Griffith University; NSW Office of Environment and Heritage; CSIRO; University of Wollongong; Kimberley Foundation of Australia), and with international researcher partners at the Planetary Science Institute, USA; Oxford of University; Trinity College, Dublin and United States Geological Survey. A very significant applied aspect of this research theme over the past 15 years has been on identifying cause(s) of variability in the hydrometeorology of south-eastern Australia and the application of this knowledge to enhance water management in the catchments of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, where releases of water underwrite > $3 billion of agricultural product annually. Research in this area has grown significantly and has led to the development of new interannual hydrometeorological forecasting tools. This research involves substantial collaboration with UWA-Perth including co-supervision of PhD candidates.
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Severe Weather
This field of research is focused on thunderstorm and bushfire meteorology in eastern Australia - an ideal natural thunderstorm hotspot, and the bushfire prone states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It involves substantial collaborations with research partners including the Bureau of Meteorology, NSW Rural Fire Service, Victoria Country Fire Authority and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Our team’s severe weather research is distinguished internationally by the innovative application of our portable dual polarised x-band Doppler radar (UQ-XPOL) as highlighted in the invited article by Soderholm et al (2016) [https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00212.1] published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Japanese Radar manufacture Furuno is supporting our group’s R&D in this area providing technical support and software upgrades to enable novel radar scanning patterns to observe storm and smoke plume dynamics. We believe this work will have far-reaching application as we develop mobile radar specifically designed for real-time wildfire observation and nowcasting of pyro-convective plume dynamics and atmosphere-fire ground coupling.
Works
Search Professor Hamish McGowan’s works on UQ eSpace
2009
Journal Article
Visual assessment of the Australian land erodibility model
Webb, Nicholas Peter, Phinn, SR and McGowan, Hamish A. (2009). Visual assessment of the Australian land erodibility model. Journal of Arid Environments, 73 (6-7), 678-682. doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.01.014
2009
Journal Article
Long-range dust transport from eastern Australia: A proxy for Holocene aridity and ENSO-type climate variability
Marx, Samuel K., McGowan, Hamish A. and Kamber, Balz S. (2009). Long-range dust transport from eastern Australia: A proxy for Holocene aridity and ENSO-type climate variability. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 282 (1-4), 167-177. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.03.013
2009
Journal Article
Impact of historical land cover change on daily indices of climate extremes including droughts in eastern Australia
Deo, Ravinesh C., Syktus, J. I., McAlpine, C. A., Lawrence, P. J., McGowan, H. A. and Phinn, Stuart R. (2009). Impact of historical land cover change on daily indices of climate extremes including droughts in eastern Australia. Geophysical Research Letters, 36 (L08705) L08705, x-x. doi: 10.1029/2009GL037666
2009
Journal Article
A continent under stress: Interactions, feedbacks and risks associated with impact of modified land cover on Australia’s Climate
McAlpine, C. A., Syktus, J. I., Ryan, J. G., Deo, R. C., McKeon, G. M., McGowan, H. A. and Phinn, S. R. (2009). A continent under stress: Interactions, feedbacks and risks associated with impact of modified land cover on Australia’s Climate. Global Change Biology, 15 (3), 2206-2223. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01939.x
2009
Journal Article
Reconstructing annual inflows to the headwater catchments of the Murray River, Australia, using the Pacific Decadal Oscillation
McGowan, Hamish A., Marx, SK, Denholm, John, Joshua Soderholm and Kamber, Balz S. (2009). Reconstructing annual inflows to the headwater catchments of the Murray River, Australia, using the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Geophysical Research Letters, 36 (L06707) L06707, x-x. doi: 10.1029/2008GL037049
2009
Journal Article
Simulation of the spatiotemporal aspects of land erodibility in the northeast Lake Eyre Basin, Australia, 1980-2006
Webb, Nicholas Peter, McGowan, Hamish A., Phinn, Stuart R., McTainsh, Grant H. and Leys, John F. (2009). Simulation of the spatiotemporal aspects of land erodibility in the northeast Lake Eyre Basin, Australia, 1980-2006. Journal of Geophysical Research, 114 (1) F01013. doi: 10.1029/2008JF001097
2009
Journal Article
A model to predict land susceptibility to wind erosion in western Queensland, Australia
Webb, Nicholas Peter, McGowan, Hamish A., Phinn, Stuart R., Leys, John F. and McTainsh, Grant H. (2009). A model to predict land susceptibility to wind erosion in western Queensland, Australia. Environmental Modelling and Software, 24 (2), 214-227. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2008.06.006
2009
Conference Publication
Detailed history of Holocene climate variability in Australia from dust records in peat cores
Marx, Samuel K., Kamber, Balz S., McGowan, Hamish A. and Denholm, John (2009). Detailed history of Holocene climate variability in Australia from dust records in peat cores. Goldschmidt 2009: "Challenges to Our Volatile Planet". 19th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Davos, Switzerland, 21-26 June 2009. Oxford, U.K: Pergamon Press. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.011
2009
Conference Publication
The polar foehn: A re-examination of downslope winds in the McMurdo dry valleys, Antarctica
Johanna Speirs, McGowan, Hamish A., Steinhoff, Daniel F. and Bromwich, David H. (2009). The polar foehn: A re-examination of downslope winds in the McMurdo dry valleys, Antarctica. 9th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography, Melbourne, 9-13 February 2009. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Bureau of Meteorology.
2009
Conference Publication
Comparison of techniques for determining evaporation from a large irrigation storage
McJannet, D., Burn, S., Cook, F., McGowan, H., Schmidt, E., Lemckert, C. and Matveev, V. (2009). Comparison of techniques for determining evaporation from a large irrigation storage. Urban Water Security Research Alliance Science Forum, Brisbane, Australia, 17-18 August 2009. Brisbane, Australia: Urban Water Security Research Alliance.
2009
Journal Article
Observations of dry season surface energy exchanges over a desert clay pan, Queensland, Australia
Sturman, A. P. and McGowan, H. A. (2009). Observations of dry season surface energy exchanges over a desert clay pan, Queensland, Australia. Journal of Arid Environments, 73 (1), 74-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.08.008
2009
Conference Publication
Quantifying palaeoclimate variables during periods of aridity and drought in eastern Australia: A study using a late quaternary multiproxy record
Petherick, Lynda M., McGowan, Hamish A. and Moss, Patrick T. (2009). Quantifying palaeoclimate variables during periods of aridity and drought in eastern Australia: A study using a late quaternary multiproxy record. 9th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography. Extremes: Climate and Weather in the Southern Hemisphere, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 9-13 February 2009. Melbourne, Australia: Bureau of Meteorology.
2009
Conference Publication
Late Quaternary environments of South East Queensland
Moss, Patrick, McGowan, Hamish, Westaway, Michael, Petherick, Lynda and Daus, Tamara (2009). Late Quaternary environments of South East Queensland. 10th INTECOL 2009. Ecology in a Changing Climate: Two Hemispheres - One Globe. The 10th International Congress of Ecology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 16-21 August 2009.
2009
Conference Publication
Redefining the northern reach of Australia's dust transport system
McGowan, H., Marx, S. and Clark, A. (2009). Redefining the northern reach of Australia's dust transport system. 7th International Conference on Geomorphology (ANZIAG): Ancient Landscapes-Modern Perspectives, Melbourme, Australia, 6-11 July 2009.
2009
Conference Publication
Reconstructing transport pathways for late Quaternary dust from eastern Australia using the composition of trace elements of long traveled dusts
Petherick, Lynda M., McGowan, Hamish A. and Kamber, Balz S. (2009). Reconstructing transport pathways for late Quaternary dust from eastern Australia using the composition of trace elements of long traveled dusts. ICAR VI: International Conference on Aeolian Research, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 24-28 July 2006. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.12.015
2009
Conference Publication
High resolution record of the last glacial maximum in eastern Australia
Petherick, Lynda M., Moss, Patrick T. and McGowan, Hamish A. (2009). High resolution record of the last glacial maximum in eastern Australia. 3rd Open Science Meeting, Corvallis, Orgegon, USA, 8-11 July 2009.
2009
Conference Publication
Reconstructing late quaternary climates and environments of subtropical eastern Australia: A high resolution, continuous, multi-proxy record
Petherick, L., Moss, P. and McGowan, H. (2009). Reconstructing late quaternary climates and environments of subtropical eastern Australia: A high resolution, continuous, multi-proxy record. Past Climates symposium, Wellington, New Zealand, 15-17 May 2009. Wellington, New Zealand: Royal Society of New Zealand.
2008
Journal Article
Identification of dust transport pathways from Lake Eyre, Australia using Hysplit
McGowan, Hamish A. and Clark, Andrew (2008). Identification of dust transport pathways from Lake Eyre, Australia using Hysplit. Atmospheric Environment, 42 (29), 6915-6925. doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.05.053
2008
Journal Article
Aeolian sedimentation and climate variability during the late quaternary in southeast Queensland, Australia
McGowan, Hamish A., Petherick, Lynda M. and Kamber, Balz S. (2008). Aeolian sedimentation and climate variability during the late quaternary in southeast Queensland, Australia. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 265 (3-4), 171-181. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2008.05.011
2008
Journal Article
A vertical profile of PM10 dust concentrations measured during a regional dust event identified by MODIS Terra, western Queensland, Australia
McGowan, Hamish A. and Clark, Andrew (2008). A vertical profile of PM10 dust concentrations measured during a regional dust event identified by MODIS Terra, western Queensland, Australia. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Science, 113 (F2) F02S03, 1-10. doi: 10.1029/2007JF000765
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Hamish McGowan is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Unlocking the environmental archives of the Kimberley's past
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Unlocking the Archives of Australia's Palaeoclimate
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Reconstructing the palaeoclimate of Australia: Using downscaled climate models to provide insights into the palaeoclimate of Australia
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Bushfire Meteorological Hazard Identification by Mobile Weather Radar
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the changing risk of severe thunderstorms by novel stochastic modelling of extreme hail and wind hazards
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason
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Doctor Philosophy
Designing Farming Systems with Whole Farm Models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dongxue Zhao, Professor Daniel Rodriguez
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the changing risk of severe thunderstorms by novel stochastic modelling of extreme hail and wind hazards
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Radar-based methods for quantifying hailfall across varied spatial scales in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of bushfire on Australian snowpack hydrometeorology within Snow Gum forests
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Bushfire Thunderstorms: Radar Analysis of Fire-Driven Convection in Australia
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The surface-atmosphere energetics of a sub-tropical sand island in eastern Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor D Lockington
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Unlocking the Kimberley's past: The applicability of organic spring deposits for reconstructing late Quaternary climatic and environmental change
Principal Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A synoptic climatology of inflow-generating precipitation for the Snowy Mountains, south-eastern Australia
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Quantification of Evaporation from a Small Subtropical Water Storage using Eddy Covariance, Scintillometry and Modelling Techniques
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Significance of Aerosol on Cloud Development and Rainfall in South-east Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The Micrometeorology of a Coral Reef: Heron Reef, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The Termination of the Last Glacial Stage in eastern Australia: A High Resolution, Multiproxy Analysis
Principal Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
A HOLOCENE RECORD OF TRANS-TASMAN DUST TRANSPORT: QUANTIFYING DUST EMISSIONS FROM EASTERN AUSTRALIA USING GEOCHEMICAL PROXIES
Principal Advisor
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2006
Master Philosophy
A 25000 YEAR RECORD OF AEOLIAN SEDIMENTATION FROM EASTERN AUSTRALIA: A PROXY FOR CLIMATE VARIABILITY
Principal Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling Land Susceptibility to Wind Erosion in Western Queensland, Australia
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The fate of atmospheric metal pollutants in the landscape, Snowy Mountains, south-eastern Australia
Associate Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
CLIMATE IMPACTS OF AUSTRALIAN LAND COVER CHANGE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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