GFDL - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

Skip to main content
North African Dust Storm - courtesy nasa.gov

Welcome

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) develops and uses mathematical models and computer simulations to improve our understanding and prediction of the behavior of the atmosphere, the oceans, and climate.

Since 1955 GFDL has set the agenda for much of the world's research on the modeling of global climate change and has played a significant role in the World Meteorological Organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments, and the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. GFDL scientists focus on model-building relevant for society, such as hurricane research, prediction, and seasonal forecasting, and understanding global and regional climate change.

Lab News

  • January 21, 2010 GFDL Study Suggests Doubling of Category 4 and 5 Hurricanes this Century - A team of scientists from NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) used a unique downscaling approach to model hurricane activity through the end of the 21st century, and their results produce nearly a doubling of the frequency of category 4 and 5 storms. Read more
  • November 5, 2009 GFDL Scientist Making a "Green" Difference - Oceanographer Whit Anderson is a recipient of the 2009 NOAA Green Steward Award. As a dedicated cycling enthusiast, Whit is among many GFDL employees who commute to work by bicycle regularly. The award recognizes Whit for his efforts to have bicycle lockers installed at GFDL, to accommodate the growing number of bike commuters, and encouraging others to do so. 2009 is the inaugural year for this award. NOAA strives to recognize and reward employees who initiate "best green practices", to encourage personal actions for a cleaner, healthier planet and lifestyle. Read more
  • November 5, 2009 GFDL Hosts Global Interoperability Program - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory will host the inaugural meeting of NOAA's Global Interoperability Program (GIP) on November 5-6, 2009. GIP promotes coordination of software infrastructure development that makes possible U.S. and international programs in climate and weather research, operational forecasting, and assessments and impacts of environmental change. This distributed and complex infrastructure allows groups from different institutions to work together collaboratively, sharing modeling components, real-time forecasts, model and observational data, and analysis and visualization services. Read more

Click here to read more GFDL News


Events & Seminars

  • March 25, 2010: Professor Ted Shepherd
    The role of stratospheric dynamics in chemistry-climate coupling
    Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Location: Smagorinsky Seminar Room
  • March 31, 2010: Eric Leibensperger
    Climate Response to Changing US Aerosol Sources
    Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
    Location: Smagorinsky Seminar Room
  • April 1, 2010: A. R. Ravishankara
    Ozone depletion, Montreal protocol, climate change and nitrous oxide: musings on science and policy
    Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Location: Smagorinsky Seminar Room
  • April 2, 2010: Michael Oppenheimer
    Why two-degrees?: policy origins, scientific rationale
    Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
    Location: Smagorinsky Seminar Room
  • April 5, 2010: Axel Lauer
    The impact of global warming on marine boundary layer clouds over the eastern Pacific - A regional model study
    Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Location: Smagorinsky Seminar Room

More events & seminars...