Cait Roufa

Research Projects in Atmospheric Science & GIS

Chiclet Plot of Regional Deltas

Future of Severe Convective Storms

WRF-BCC climate simulations projecting frequency, variability, and timing changes in severe convective storms by mid- and late-century. (Coming soon)

Map overlay of severe weather and housing exposure

U.S. Housing Exposure to Severe Convective Weather

GIS analysis of 40 years of severe storm reports, housing, and vulnerability across U.S. counties.

Map overlay of changing severe weather and housing exposure

Hotspot Analysis of Future Severe Convective Storms

Looking at projected changes in Severe Convective Weather hotspots in the U.S.

Snow cover changes Trend Graph March

Snow Coverage in Northern Illinois

Landsat-8 remote sensing and NDSI indices used to track long-term snow cover trends.

WRF model domain visualization

"Pseudo" Pseudo Global Warming Case Study

WRF sensitivity tests of the March 31, 2023 outbreak with ±2°C perturbations.

Urban heat island map of Rockford, IL

Urban Heat Island Vulnerability in Rockford, IL

Remote sensing + social data reveal heat risk disparities shaped by redlining.

Education Projects

Python lab screenshot

Atmospheric Dynamics Python Labs

Interactive labs for teaching the application of atmospheric dynamics concepts in Python.

STEAM careers curriculum website

STEAM Careers Curriculum

Curriculum bridging high school physics with STEM careers and role models.