About Malcolm Brooks

Malcolm works to develop the Global Atmosphere model.

Areas of expertise

• Clouds and Atmospheric radiation.
• Land-surface processes.
• Dust and other aerosols.
• Technical aspects of evaluating model changes.

Publications by Malcolm Brooks

Current activities

Malcolm works to develop the Global Atmosphere configuration of the Unified Model, by diagnosing problems in operational weather forecasting system, and working to provide solutions either directly or by liaising with the wider research community within the Met Office, Universities or other external collaborators. When model changes are proposed these are then tested and extensively trialled before moving forward towards operational implementation. In particular Malcolm works with changes from radiative perspective, looking at clouds and cloud processes, radiation, the land surface and aerosols.

Much of Malcolm's day to day work involves running forecast trials with a view to getting proposed changes into the next suitable parallel suite. In order to help with the evaluation of these trials Malcolm is the code owner and main developer of a suite of diagnostic software tools to help Met Office scientists evaluate forecast model trials. Malcolm is also project manages the Met Office research to provide and improve forecasts of dust storms in support of British and NATO Forces deployed in or nearby arid and semi-arid regions.

Career background

Malcolm has been a member of the Global Atmosphere Model Development group since he joined the Met Office in 2004. Prior to joining the Met Office Malcolm completed a PhD at the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading. His PhD used cloud radar and lidar observations to evaluate weather forecasting and climate models under the  CloudNET project.