Research subjects

Scientists at the Department of Meteorology (MISU) study the mechanisms, components and interactions of the climate system within Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Science.

Chemical and dynamical processes in the atmosphere and the oceans, polar stratospheric clouds, atmospheric and ocean currents, and aerosols are studied. The scientists use computer models and advanced experimental methods to obtain a better understanding of our changing environment and climate.

Research subjects:

CLIMATE DYNAMICS AND CLIMATE SCIENCE

Circulation and connection land-sea-atmosphere

Polar Meteorology and Oceanography

METEOROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE

Circulation and connection land-sea-atmosphere

Clouds, airborne particles and gases

Dynamic Meteorology

Middle and Upper Atmosphere

Polar Meteorology and Oceanography

OCEANOGRAPHY

Baltic Sea Oceanography

Circulation and connection land-sea-atmosphere

Polar Meteorology and Oceanography

The North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans

Interdepartmental and international collaboration is a key factor in the department's research. Researchers at MISU work closely with colleagues at The Bolin Centre for Climate Research and The Baltic Sea Centre, and collaborate with SMHI, KTH The Royal Institute of Technology and other Swedish and international universities and organisations.

MISU also administrates The International Meteorological Institute in Stockholm (IMI) which works towards increasing the exchange and collaboration between scientists in different countries.

Arctic ocean, ice and sky. Photo: Michael Tjernström/Stockholm University

Research

Our research areas

Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Science

Research in atmospheric science, oceanography and climate science covers a wide range of fields. For example chemical and dynamic processes in the atmosphere, polar stratospheric clouds, ocean currents, and aerosols are studied.

Research subjects

Thunder and lightning. Photo: Göran Erlandsson

Climate dynamics and climate change

Over long timescales, the circulation systems co-evolve with ice sheets, mountain ranges, and redistributions of carbon in the climate system. Researcher study the circulation and associated feedback mechanisms that influence exchanges of energy and materials between compartments of the climate system, and create teleconnections and climate variability.

Ice polar stratospheric clouds. Photo: P. Achtert

Meteorology and atmospheric science

Research in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science deals with the atmosphere's three layers: the Troposphere, the Mesosphere and the Stratosphere. We study how and why the atmosphere moves, how aerosols (small particles) form, are transported and interact with clouds, precipitation and solar radiation, and how this affects polar climates.

Ocean with iceberg. Photo: Johan Nilsson/Stockholm University

Oceanography

The field of oceanography encompasses both surface currents and deep water circulation. Surface currents and the overturning water that forms deep water currents, distribute heat and salt between different regions of the Earth as well as with depth in the oceans.