Dr Jennifer Brooke
Jenn manages the Met Office boundary layer observational research programme, supporting improved representation of physical processes in weather forecasting models.
Areas of expertise
- Boundary-layer observations and processes
- Land surface-atmosphere interactions
- Convective-scale modelling and evaluation
Current activities
The boundary layer research group is currently involved in a range of collaborative measurement projects, with a focus on improved understanding of meteorological processes in the boundary layer, (including surface processes and high impact weather) and the evaluation and development of high-resolution numerical models, focusing on specific NWP (Numerical Weather Prediction) issues. Current research projects in the group include i) SOFOG3D (SOuth west FOGs 3D experiment), ii) LIAISE (Land surface Interactions with the Atmosphere over the Iberian Semi-arid Environment), iii) WesCON (The Wessex Convective Experiment) and iv) PANAME (Paris region urban atmospheric observations and models for multidisciplinary research).
Jenn’s scientific research is focused on the role of land surface-atmosphere interactions in the evolution the atmopsheric boundary layer. Much of her research has been focused on semi-arid regions as they pose a significant modelling challenge due to the highly heterogeneous nature of the environment. Studies have shown that land surface-atmosphere interactions are strongest in semi-arid regions where there is both a sensitivity of the surface fluxes to the soil moisture profile, and a sensitivity in the atmosphere to these surface fluxes. Understanding these processes is essential for accurately modelling air temperature and humidity.
Jenn is a member of the LIAISE steering committee, an international land surface & boundary layer field campaign, which is part of the HyMeX programme (Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment) and a GEWEX (Global Energy and Water Exchanges)-led WCRP (World Climate Research Programme) Grand Challenge activity. You can read more about LIAISE here.
Career background
Jenn held the post of Private Secretary to the Met Office Director of Science (Professor Simon Vosper). In this role, Jenn provided support to the Director of Science in running the Met Office Science Programme, which consists of approx. 550 scientists. This included writing reports and briefs on key scientific issues, planning and delivering external review meetings, and supporting stakeholder engagement.
Jenn’s first position in the Met Office was in Observation Based Research where she participated in a number of international observational campaigns including Fennec (2011), SAMBBA (2012), SALSTICE (2013), COSMICS (2015), ICE-D (2015) and INCOMPASS (2016). Jenn developed limited area forecasts in support of the Iceland Greenland Seas Project (2018) and the Year of Polar Prediction-endorsed MACSSIMIZE (2018) measurement campaign. Between 2018 and 2022, Jenn worked in the Atmospheric Processes and Parametrization group working to improve the representation of land surface and boundary layer processes in the Unified Model.
Before joining the Met Office in 2013, Jenn was awarded a PhD in atmospheric science from the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds. The title of her thesis was Airborne observations of the physical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosol. The PhD was co-sponsored by the Met Office through a CASE award. Jenn received a MChem degree in Chemistry with a Year in Industry from the University of York, Department of Chemistry in 2009.
In January 2024, Jenn became the manager of the Boundary Layer Research group.