Nadia Bloemendaal
American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of theAmerican Meteorological Society, interviews were conducted with its many members and leaders. These interviews serve to recognize the strength, diversity, and accomplishments of the AMS community, from the beginning right up to today.
For more information, visit: ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams100/oral-histories/
Dr. Nadia Bloemendaal is a hurricane researcher and a professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She specializes in tropical meteorology, particularly in the areas of hurricane formation and intensity change. Dr. Bloemendaal earned her Ph.D. in atmospheric science from the University of Miami in 2011. Her research focuses on understanding the physical processes that control hurricane intensity, including the role of air-sea interactions, convection, and atmospheric dynamics. She has also studied the impact of climate change on tropical cyclones, as well as the predictability and forecasting of these storms. In addition to her research, Dr. Bloemendaal is a dedicated educator and has taught courses on meteorology, climate science, and atmospheric physics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is also involved in several international research collaborations and serves on the editorial board of the scientific journal Weather and Climate Dynamics.
Scope and Content Note
Bloemendaal points out that the Netherlands does not experience hurricanes or tornadoes, but her early interest began after watching the film Twister. She talks about how her grandmother lived through a major flood in 1953. Bloemendaal notes that there are not many university programs in meteorology in the Netherlands. She studied mathematics, then completed a master’s degree in meteorology. Bloemendaal explains how she was able to complete her Ph.D. on tropical cyclones, which is a rare field of study in the Netherlands. She hopes to go storm chasing and expresses her interest in staying in the world of severe weather research. Other topics mentioned include flood resilience, how the Netherlands has expertise in preventing flooding, and storm surge barriers.
For more information, visit: ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams100/oral-histories/
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