Research Highlights
Research Interests
Inter-ocean transports of heat, salt and carbon.
El Niño diversity and its remote impact on North American climate.
Atlantic Niño diversity.
Atmosphere-ocean processes conducive to extreme weather.
Antarctic sea-ice and ocean interactions.
Sang-Ki Lee, Ph.D.
Oceanographer, Physical Oceanography Division
305.361.4521
4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149
“The Atlantic Niño is just one member of a big extended family that covers much of the tropical and subtropical oceans. Just like El Niño, Atlantic Niño has a sister, Atlantic Niña, that brings cooler-than-average equatorial Atlantic conditions and the opposite climate impacts as her brother. There are many other siblings, cousins, and distant relatives spanning the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans who share a feature in common: ocean surface temperature anomalies along eastern boundaries linked to changes in the upwelling of cooler water from below. Climate scientists have learned a lot about the atmosphere and ocean interactions that give rise to each of these patterns, but there is still so much more to learn about this extended family.”
Dr. Sang-Ki Lee is a physical oceanographer at NOAA’s AOML. His research involves a range of topics related to the ocean, climate, and extreme weather events. Dr. Lee aims to better understand atmosphere-ocean processes that affect and control the Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems by using both observations and mathematical modeling tools.
Current Work
Java-Sumatra Nino/Nina and associated regional rainfall variability
On the role of Atlantic Nino/Nina in seasonal Atlantic tropical cyclone activity
Projections of faster onset and slower decay of El Nino in the 21st century
A robust slowdown of the AMOC inferred from a data-constrained ocean model
High-resolution ocean-biogeochemistry modeling for the East & Gulf coasts of the U.S.
S2S U.S. severe weather outlook
An optimized hybrid seasonal forecast system for U.S. regional precipitation
1991, B.S. Oceanography, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea
1993, M.S. Oceanography, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
1995, Ph. D. Oceanography, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
- Hong, J. S., Kim, D., Lopez, H., Lee, S. K., Mercer, A. and Johnson, N. C. Projected increase in ENSO-induced US winter extreme hydroclimate events in SPEAR large ensemble simulation npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 8(1), 84, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-025-00972-7 2025
Ref. 4483 - Kim, D., Lee, S. K., Lopez, H., West, R., Foltz, G. R., Hong, J. S. and Yeh, S. W. Atlantic Niño increases early-season tropical cyclone landfall risk in Korea and Japan npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 8(1), 240, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-025-01112-x 2025
Ref. 4496 - Lopez, H., Lee, S.K., West, R., Kim, D., Jia, L. The longest-lasting 2023 western North American heat wave was fueled by the record-warm Atlantic Ocean Nature Communications, 16(1), 6544, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61859-y 2025
Ref. 4499
View all Related Publications
- Hong, J. S., Kim, D., Lopez, H., Lee, S. K., Mercer, A. and Johnson, N. C. Projected increase in ENSO-induced US winter extreme hydroclimate events in SPEAR large ensemble simulation npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 8(1), 84, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-025-00972-7 2025
Ref. 4483 - Kim, D., Lee, S. K., Lopez, H., West, R., Foltz, G. R., Hong, J. S. and Yeh, S. W. Atlantic Niño increases early-season tropical cyclone landfall risk in Korea and Japan npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 8(1), 240, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-025-01112-x 2025
Ref. 4496 - Lopez, H., Lee, S.K., West, R., Kim, D., Jia, L. The longest-lasting 2023 western North American heat wave was fueled by the record-warm Atlantic Ocean Nature Communications, 16(1), 6544, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61859-y 2025
Ref. 4499 - Tuchen, F., Foltz, G., Lee, S.-K., Perez, R., Prigent, A., Brandt, P., Kim, D., Lopez, H., McPhaden, M., West, R., Lumpkin, R. Record warmth and unprecedented drop in equatorial Atlantic sea surface temperatures in 2024 Geophysical Research Letters, 52(12), e2025GL115973, https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL115973 2025
Ref. 4493 - Chung, E.-S., S.-J. Kim, S.-K. Lee, K.-J. Ha, S.-W. Yeh, Y.S. Kim, S.-Y. Jun, J.-H. Kim, and D. Kim. Tropical eastern Pacific cooling trend reinforced by human activity. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 7:170, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00713-2 2024
Ref. 4431 - Gomez, F.A., R. Wanninkhof, L. Barbero, and S.-K. Lee. Mississippi River chemistry impacts on the interannual variability of aragonite saturation state in the northern Gulf of America. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 129(2):e2023JC020436, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JC020436 2024
Ref. 4388 - Kim, D., S.-K. Lee, H. Lopez, J.-H. Jeong, and J.-S. Hong. An unusually prolonged Pacific-North American pattern promoted the 2021 winter Quad-State Tornado Outbreaks. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 7:133, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00688-0 2024
Ref. 4421 - Lee, S.-K., D. Kim, F. Gomez, H. Lopez, D. Volkov, S. Dong, R. Lumpkin, and S. Yeager. A pause in the weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation since the early 2010s. Nature Communications, 15:10624, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54903-w 2024
Ref. 4470 - Lopez, H., S.-K. Lee, R. West, D. Kim, G.R. Foltz, G.J. Alaka Jr., and H. Murakami. Projected increase in the frequency of extremely active Atlantic hurricane seasons. Science Advances, 10(46):eadq7856, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adq7856 2024
Ref. 4465 - Tuchen, F.P., R.C. Perez, G.R. Foltz, P. Brandt, A. Subramaniam, S.-K. Lee, R. Lumpkin, and R. Hummels. Modulation of equatorial currents and tropical instability waves during the 2021 Atlantic Niño. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 129(1):e2023JC020431, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JC020431 2024
Ref. 4376 - Aguiar, W., S.-K. Lee, H. Lopez, S. Dong, H. Seroussi, D.C. Jones, and A.K. Morrison. Antarctic Bottom Water sensitivity to spatio-temporal variations in Antarctic meltwater fluxes. Geophysical Research Letters, 50(13):e2022GL101595, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101595 2023
Ref. 4279 - Gomez, F.A., S.-K. Lee, C.A. Stock, A.C. Ross, L. Resplandy, S.A. Siedlecki, F. Tagklis, and J.E. Salisbury. RC4USCoast: A river chemistry dataset for regional ocean model applications in the US east, Gulf of America, and west coasts. Earth System Science Data, 15(5):2223-2234, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2223-2023 2023
Ref. 4270 - Kim, D., S.-K. Lee, H. Lopez, G.R. Foltz, C. Wen, R. West, and J. Dunion. Increase in Cape Verde hurricanes during Atlantic Niño. Nature Communications, 14:3704, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39467-5 2023
Ref. 4275 - Lee, S.-K., H. Lopez, F.P. Tuchen, D. Kim, G.R. Foltz, and A.T. Wittenberg. On the genesis of the 2021 Atlantic Niño. Geophysical Research Letters, 50(16):e2023GL04452, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104452 2023
Ref. 4303 - Lee, S.-K., R. Lumpkin, F. Gomez, S. Yeager, H. Lopez, F. Tagklis, S. Dong, W. Aguiar, D. Kim, and M. Baringer. Human-induced changes in the global meridional overturning circulation are emerging from the Southern Ocean. Communications Earth & Environment, 4:69, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00727-3 2023
Ref. 4237 - Park, I.-H., S.-W. Yeh, W. Cai, G. Wang, S.-K. Min, and S.-K. Lee. Present-day North Atlantic salinity constrains future warming of the Northern Hemisphere. Nature Climate Change, 13(8):816-822, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01728-y 2023
Ref. 4281 - Zavadoff, B.L., K. Gao, H. Lopez, S.-K. Lee, D. Kim, and L.M. Harris. Improved MJO forecasts using the experimental global-nested GFDL SHiELD model. Geophysical Research Letters, 50(6):e2022GL101622, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101622 2023
Ref. 4239 - Chung, E.-S., S.-J. Kim, A. Timmermann, K.-J. Ha, S.-K. Lee, M.F. Stuecker, K.B. Rodgers, S.-S. Lee, and L. Huang. Antarctic sea-ice expansion and Southern Ocean cooling linked to tropical variability. Nature Climate Change, 12(5):461-468, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01339-z 2022
Ref. 4099 - Lee, S.-K., H. Lopez, G.R. Foltz, E.-P. Lim, D. Kim, S.M. Larson, K. Pujiana, D.L. Volkov, S. Chakravorty, and F.A. Gomez. Java-Sumatra Niño/Niña and its impact on regional rainfall variability. Journal of Climate, 35(13):4291-4308, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-21-0616.1 2022
Ref. 4089 - Lopez, H., S.-K. Lee, D. Kim, A.T. Wittenberg, and S.-W. Yeh. Projections of faster onset and slower decay of El Niño in the 21st Century. Nature Communications, 13:1915, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29519-7 2022
Ref. 4096 - West, R., H. Lopez, S.-K. Lee, A.E. Mercer, D. Kim, G.R. Foltz, and K. Balaguru. Seasonality of interbasin SST contributions to Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. Geophysical Research Letters, 49(4):e2021GL096712, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL096712 2022
Ref. 4080 - Chung E.-S., K.-J. Ha, A. Timmermann, M.F. Stuecker, T. Bodai, and S.-K. Lee. Cold-season Arctic amplification driven by Arctic Ocean-mediated seasonal energy transfer. Earth’s Future, 9(2):e2020EF001898, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EF001898 2021
Ref. 3919 - Gomez, F.A., R. Wanninkhof, L. Barbero, and S.-K. Lee. Increasing river alkalinity slows ocean acidification in the northern Gulf of America. Geophysical Research Letters, 48(24):e2021GL096521, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL096521 2021
Ref. 4045 - Lee, S.-K., H. Lopez, D. Kim, A.T. Wittenberg, and A. Kumar. A seasonal probabilistic outlook for tornados (SPOTter) in the contiguous US based on the leading patterns of large-scale atmospheric anomalies. Monthly Weather Review, 149(4):901-919 , https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-20-0223.1 2021
Ref. 3933 - Dong, S., H. Lopez, S.-K. Lee, C. Meinen, G. Goni, and M. Baringer. What caused the large-scale heat deficit in the subtropical South Atlantic Ocean during 2009-2012? Geophysical Research Letters, 47(11):e2020GL088206, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL088206 2020
Ref. 3803 - Gomez, F.A., R. Wanninkhof, L. Barbero, S.-K. Lee, and F.J. Hernandez. Seasonal patterns of surface inorganic carbon system variables in the Gulf of America inferred from a regional high-resolution ocean-biogeochemical model. Biogeosciences, 17(6):1685-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1685-2020 2020
Ref. 3785 - Gronholz, A., S. Dong, H. Lopez, S.-K. Lee, G. Goni, and M. Baringer. Interannual variability of the South Atlantic Ocean heat content in a high-resolution versus low-resolution General Circulation Model. Geophysical Research Letters, 47(23):e2020GL089908, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089908 2020
Ref. 3898 - Kim, D., S.-K. Lee, and H. Lopez. Madden-Julian Oscillation-induced suppression of northeast Pacific convection increases U.S. tornadogenesis. Journal of Climate, 33(11):4927-4939, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-19-0992.1 2020
Ref. 3783 - Kim, D., S.-K. Lee, H. Lopez, and M. Goes. Pacific mean-state control of Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation-El Niño relationship. Journal of Climate, 33(10):4273-4291, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-19-0398.1 2020
Ref. 3767 - Kim, D., S.-K. Lee, H. Lopez, G.R. Foltz V. Misra, and A. Kumar. On the role of the Pacific-Atlantic SST contrast and associated Caribbean Sea convection in August-October US regional rainfall variability. Geophysical Research Letters, 47(11):e2020G087736, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087736 2020
Ref. 3808 - Lee, S.-K., D. Kim, G.R. Foltz, and H. Lopez. Pantropical response to global warming and the emergence of a La Niña-like mean state trend. Geophysical Research Letters, 47(3):e2019GL086497, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086497 2020
Ref. 3769 - Vallès-Casanova, I., S.-K. Lee, G.R. Foltz, and J.L. Pelegri. On the spatiotemporal diversity of Atlantic Niño and associated rainfall variability over West Africa and South America. Geophysical Research Letters, 47(8):e2020GL087108, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087108 2020
Ref. 3790 - Volkov, D.L., S.-K. Lee, A.L. Gordon, and M. Rudko. Unprecedented reduction and quick recovery of the South Indian Ocean heat content and sea level in 2014-2018. Science Advances, 6(36):eabc1151, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abc1151 2020
Ref. 3850 - Gomez, F.A., S.-K. Lee, F.J. Hernandez, L.M. Chiaverano, F.E. Muller-Karger, Y. Liu, and J.T. Lamkin. ENSO-induced co-variability of salinity, plankton biomass, and coastal currents in the northern Gulf of America. Scientific Reports, 9:178, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36655-y 2019
Ref. 3622 - Lee, S.-K., R. Lumpkin, M.O. Baringer, C.S. Meinen, M. Goes, S. Dong, H. Lopez, and S.G. Yeager. Global meridional overturning circulation inferred from a data-constrained ocean and sea-ice model. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(3):1521-1530, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL080940 2019
Ref. 3630 - Lopez, H., S.-K. Lee, S. Dong, G. Goni, B. Kirtman, R. Atlas, and A. Kumar. East Asian monsoon as a modulator of U.S. Great Plains heat waves. Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 124(12):6342-6358, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JD030151 2019
Ref. 3678 - Volkov, D.L., S.-K. Lee, R. Domingues, H. Zhang, and M. Goes. Interannual sea level variability along the southeastern seaboard of the United States in relation to the gyre-scale heat divergence in the North Atlantic. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(13):7481-7490, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL083596 2019
Ref. 3683 - Gomez, F.A., S.-K. Lee, Y. Liu, F.J. Hernandez, F.E. Muller-Karger, and J.T. Lamkin. Seasonal patterns in phytoplankton biomass across the northern and deep Gulf of America: A numerical model study. Biogeosciences, 15(11):3561-3576, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3561-2018 2018
Ref. 3549 - Lee, S.-K., H. Lopez, E.S. Chung, P.N. DiNezio, S.-W. Yeh, and A.T. Wittemberg. On the fragile relationship between El Niño and California rainfall. Geophysical Research Letters, 45(2):907-915, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076197 2018
Ref. 3489 - Lopez, H., R. West, S. Dong, G. Goni, B. Kirtman, S.-K. Lee, and R. Atlas. Early emergence of anthropogenically-forced heat waves in the western United States and Great Lakes. Nature Climate Change, 8(5):414-420, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0116-y 2018
Ref. 3501 - Dong, J., R. Domingues, G. Goni, G. Halliwell, H.-S. Kim, S.-K. Lee, M. Mehari, F. Bringas, J. Morell, and L. Pomales. Impact of assimilating underwater glider data on Hurricane Gonzalo (2014) forecasts. Weather and Forecasting, 32(3):1143-1159, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-16-0182.1 2017
Ref. 3398 - Lee, S.-K., D.L. Volkov, H. Lopez, W.G. Cheon, A.L. Gordon, Y. Liu, and R. Wanninkhof. Wind-driven ocean dynamics impact on the contrasting sea-ice trends around West Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 122(5):4413-4430, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JC012416 2017
Ref. 3423 - Muhling, B.A., R. Brill, J.T. Lamkin, M.A. Roffer, S.-K. Lee, Y. Liu, and F. Muller-Karger. Projections of future habitat use by Atlantic bulefin tuna: Mechanistic versus correlative distribution models. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 74(3):698-716, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsw215 2017
Ref. 3360 - Volkov, D.L., S.-K. Lee, F.W. Landerer, and R. Lumpkin. Decade-long deep-ocean warming detected in the subtropical South Pacific. Geophysical Research Letters, 44(2):927-936, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL071661 2017
Ref. 3368 - Lee, S.-K., A.T. Wittenberg, D.B. Enfield, S.J. Weaver, C. Wang, and R. Atlas. U.S. regional tornado outbreaks and their links to the springtime ENSO phases and North Atlantic SST variability. Environmental Research Letters, 11(4):044008, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/11/4/044008 2016
Ref. 3257 - Liu, Y., S.-K. Lee, D.B. Enfield, B.A. Muhling, J.T. Lamkin, F.E. Muller-Karger, and M.A. Roffer. Past and future climate variability in the Intra-Americas Sea and its impact on the marine ecosystem and fisheries. U.S. CLIVAR Variations, 14(1):27-32, 2016
Ref. 3280 - Lopez, H., S. Dong, S.-K. Lee, and E. Campos Remote influence of Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation on the South Atlantic meridional overturning circulation variability. Geophysical Research Letters, 43(15):8250-8258, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069067 2016
Ref. 3308 - Lopez, H., S. Dong, S.-K. Lee, and G. Goni. Decadal modulations of interhemispheric global atmospheric circulations and monsoons by the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Journal of Climate, 29(5):1831-1851, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-15-0491.1 2016
Ref. 3212 - Cheon, W.G., S.-K. Lee, A.L. Gordon, Y. Liu, C.-B. Cho, and J.J. Park. Replicating the 1970s’ Weddell Polyna using a coupled ocean-sea ice model with reanalysis surface flux fields. Geophysical Research Letters, 42(13):5411-5418, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL064364 2015
Ref. 3145 - Domingues, R., G. Goni, F. Bringas, S.-K. Lee, H.-S. Kim, G. Halliwell, J. Dong, J. Morell, and L. Pomales. Upper-ocean response to Hurricane Gonzalo (2014): Salinity effects revealed by targeted and sustained underwater glider observations. Geophysical Research Letters, 42(17):7131-7138, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL065378 2015
Ref. 3170 - Jo, H.-S., S.-W. Yeh, and S.-K. Lee. Changes in the relationship in the SST variability between the tropical Pacific and the North Pacific across the 1998/99 regime shift. Geophysical Research Letters, 42(17):7171-7178, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL065049 2015
Ref. 3171 - Lee, S.-K., W. Park, M.O. Baringer, A.L. Gordon, B. Huber, and Y. Liu. Pacific origin of the abrupt increase in Indian Ocean heat content during the warming hiatus. Nature Geoscience, 8(6):445-449, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2438 2015
Ref. 3133 - Liu, H., C. Wang, S.-K. Lee, and D.B. Enfield. Inhomogeneous influence of the Atlantic warm pool on United States precipitation. Atmospheric Science Letters, 16(1):63-69, https://doi.org/10.1002/asl2.521 2015
Ref. 3061 - Liu, Y., S.-K. Lee, D.B. Enfield, B.A. Muhling, J.T. Lamkin, F. Muller-Karger, and M.A. Roffer. Potential impact of climate change on the Intra-Americas Seas: Part 1—A dynamic downscaling of the CMIP5 model projections. Journal of Marine Systems, 148:56-69, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2015.01.007 2015
Ref. 3086 - Muhling, B.A., Y. Liu, S.-K. Lee, J.T. Lamkin, M.A. Roffer, F. Muller-Karger, and J.W. Walter. Potential impact of climate change on the Intra-Americas Seas: Part 2— Implications for Atlantic bluefin tuna and skipjack tuna adult and larval habitats. Journal of Marine Systems, 148:1-13, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2015.01.010 2015
Ref. 3087 - Song, Z., S.-K. Lee, C. Wang, B.P. Kirtman, and F. Qiao. Contributions of the atmosphere-land and ocean-sea ice model components to the tropical Atlantic SST bias in CESM1. Ocean Modelling, 96(2):280-290, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2015.09.008 2015
Ref. 3189 - van Hooidonk, R., J.A. Maynard, Y. Liu, and S.-K. Lee. Downscaled projections of Caribbean coral bleaching that can inform conservation planning. Global Change Biology, 21(9):3389-3401, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12901 2015
Ref. 3115 - Cheon, W.G., Y.-G. Park, J.R. Toggweiler, and S.-K. Lee. The relationship of Weddell polynya and open-ocean deep convection to the Southern Hemisphere westerlies. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 44(2):694-713, https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-13-0112.1 2014
Ref. 2948 - Ji, X., J.D. Neelin, S.-K. Lee, and C.R. Mechoso. Interhemispheric teleconnections from tropical heat sources in intermediate and simple models. Journal of Climate, 27(2):684-697, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00017.1 2014
Ref. 2936 - Lee, S.-K., B.E. Mapes, C. Wang, D.B. Enfield, and S.J. Weaver. Springtime ENSO phase evolution and its relation to rainfall in the continental U.S. Geophysical Research Letters, 41(5):1673-1680, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL059137 2014
Ref. 2962 - Lee, S.-K., P.N. DiNezio, E.-S. Chung, S.-W. Yeh, A.T. Wittenberg, and C. Wang. Spring persistence, transition, and resurgence of El Niño. Geophysical Research Letters, 41(23):8578-8585, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL062484 2014
Ref. 3062 - Wang, C., L. Zhang, S.-K. Lee, L. Wu, and C.R. Mechoso. A global perspective on CMIP5 climate model biases. Nature Climate Change, 4(3):201-205, https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2118 2014
Ref. 2952 - Zhang, L., C. Wang, and S.-K. Lee. Potential role of Atlantic warm pool-induced freshwater forcing in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation: Ocean-sea ice model simulations. Climate Dynamics, 43(1-2):553-574, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-013-2034-z 2014
Ref. 2990 - Zhang, L., C. Wang, Z. Song, and S.-K. Lee. Remote effect of the model cold bias in the tropical North Atlantic on the warm bias in the tropical southeastern Pacific. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 6(4):1016-1026, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014MS000338 2014
Ref. 3065 - Lee, S.-K., C.R. Mechoso, C. Wang, and J.D. Neelin. Interhemispheric influence of the northern summer monsoons on the southern subtropical anticyclones. Journal of Climate, 26(24):10,193-10,204, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00106.1 2013
Ref. 2923 - Lee, S.-K., R. Atlas, D.B. Enfield, C. Wang, and H. Liu. Is there an optimal ENSO pattern that enhances large-scale atmospheric processes conducive to major tornado outbreaks in the United States? Journal of Climate, 26(5):1626-1642, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00128.1 2013
Ref. 2794 - Liu, H., C. Wang, S.-K. Lee, and D. B. Enfield. Atlantic warm pool variability in the CMIP5 simulations. Journal of Climate, 26(15):5315-5336, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00556.1 2013
Ref. 2872 - Menary, M.B., C.D. Roberts, M.D. Palmer, P.R. Halloran, L. Jackson, R.A. Wood, W.A. Mueller, D. Matei, and S.-K. Lee. Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state-of-the-art climate model. Journal of Geophysical Research, 118(4):2087-2096, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 2013
Ref. 2841 - Wang, C., L. Zhang, and S.-K. Lee. Response of freshwater flux and sea surface salinity to variability of the Atlantic warm pool. Journal of Climate, 26(4):1249-1267, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00284.1 2013
Ref. 2799 - Di Nezio, P.N., B.P. Kirtman, A.C. Clement, S.-K. Lee, G.A. Vecchi, and A. Wittenberg. Mean climate controls on the simulated response of ENSO to increasing greenhouse gases. Journal of Climate, 25(21):7399-7420, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00494.1 2012
Ref. 2774 - Larson, S., S.-K. Lee, C. Wang, E.-S. Chung and D. Enfield. Impacts of non-canonical El Niño patterns on Atlantic hurricane activity. Geophysical Research Letters, 39:L14706, 6 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL052595 2012
Ref. 2723 - Liu, H., C. Wang, S.-K. Lee, and D.B. Enfield. Atlantic warm pool variability in the IPCC AR4 CGCM simulations. Journal of Climate, 25(16):5612-5628, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00376.1 2012
Ref. 2750 - Liu, Y., S.-K. Lee, B.A. Muhling, J.T. Lamkin, and D.B. Enfield. Significant reduction of the Loop Current in the 21st century and its impact on the Gulf of America. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117:C05039, 8 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007555 2012
Ref. 2686 - Wang, C., S. Dong, A.T. Evan, G.R. Foltz, and S.-K. Lee. Multidecadal co-variability of North Atlantic sea surface temperature, African dust, Sahel rainfall, and Atlantic hurricanes. Journal of Climate, 25(15):5404-5415, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00413.1 2012
Ref. 2730 - Lee, S.-K., D.B. Enfield, and C. Wang. Future impact of differential interbasin ocean warming on Atlantic hurricanes. Journal of Climate, 24(4):1264-1275, https://doi.org/10.1175/2010JCLI3883.1 2011
Ref. 81 - Lee, S.-K., D.B. Enfield, W. Park, E. van Sebille, C. Wang, S. Yeager, B.P. Kirtman, and M.O. Baringer. Secular and multidecadal warming of the Atlantic Ocean since the mid-20th century. U.S. CLIVAR Variations, 9(2):13-15, 2011
Ref. 3282 - Lee, S.-K., W. Park, E. van Sebille, M.O. Baringer, C. Wang, D.B. Enfield, S.G. Yeager, and B.P. Kirtman. What caused the significant increase in Atlantic Ocean heat content since the mid-20th century? Geophysical Research Letters, 38:L17607, 6 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL048856 2011
Ref. 65 - Misra, V., E. Carlson, R.K. Craig, D. Enfield, B. Kirkman, W. Landing, S.-K. Lee, D. Letson, F. Marks, J. Obeysekera, M. Powell, and S.-I. Shin. Climate Scenarios: A Florida-Centric View (White Paper on Climate Change Scenarios for Florida). Florida Climate Change Task Force, State University System of Florida Board of Governors, 61 pp. (2011) (available online at http://floridaclimate.org/whitepapers/), 2011
Ref. 2656 - Muhling, B.A., S.-K. Lee, J.T. Lamkin, and Y. Liu. Predicting the effects of climate change on bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) spawning habitat in the Gulf of America. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68(6):1051-1062, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsr008 2011
Ref. 56 - Wang, C., H. Liu, S.-K. Lee, and R. Atlas. Impact of the Atlantic warm pool on United States landfalling hurricanes. Geophysical Research Letters, 38:L19702, 7 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL049265 2011
Ref. 24 - Lee, S.-K., and C. Wang. Delayed advective oscillation of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation. Journal of Climate, 23(5):1254-1261, https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JCLI3339.1 2010
Ref. 191 - Lee, S.-K., C. Wang, and D.B. Enfield. On the impacts of central Pacific warming events on Atlantic tropical storm activity. Geophysical Research Letters, 37:L17702, 5 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL044459 2010
Ref. 192 - Wang, C., and S.-K. Lee. Is hurricane activity in one basin tied to another? Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 91(10):93-94, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010EO100002 2010
Ref. 238 - Wang, C., H. Liu, and S.-K. Lee. The record-breaking cold temperatures during the winter of 2009/2010 in the northern hemisphere. Atmospheric Science Letters, 11(3):161-168, https://doi.org/10.1002/asl.278 2010
Ref. 241 - Wang, C., S.-K. Lee, and C.R. Mechoso. Interhemispheric influence of the Atlantic warm pool on the southeastern Pacific. Journal of Climate, 23(2):404-418, https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JCLI3127.1 2010
Ref. 240 - Di Nezio, P.N., A.C. Clement, G.A. Vecchi, B.J. Soden, B.P. Kirtman, and S.-K. Lee. Climate response of the equatorial Pacific to global warming. Journal of Climate, 22(18):4873-4892, https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JCLI2982.1 2009
Ref. 267 - Enfield, D.B., C. Wang, and S.-K. Lee. Cross-hemispheric interactions between variability of the American monsoon systems regions. VAMOS Newsletter, 5:11-14, 2009
Ref. 277 - Lee, S.-K., C. Wang, and B.E. Mapes. A simple atmospheric model of the local and teleconnection responses to tropical heating anomalies. Journal of Climate, 22(2):272-284, https://doi.org/10.1175/2008JCLI2303.1 2009
Ref. 299 - Wang, C., and S.-K Lee. Co-variability of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic and the eastern North Pacific. Geophysical Research Letters, 36:L24702, 5 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL041469 2009
Ref. 341 - Wang, C., and S.-K. Lee. Reply to comment by Joseph J. Barsugli on "Global warming and United States landfalling hurricanes." Geophysical Research Letters, 36(1):L01706, 3 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL035111 2009
Ref. 342 - Lee, S.-K., and C. Wang. Tropical Atlantic decadal oscillation and its potential impact on the equatorial atmosphere-ocean dynamics: A simple model study. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 38(1):193-212, https://doi.org/10.1175/2007JPO3450.1 2008
Ref. 399 - Lee, S.-K., D.B. Enfield, and C. Wang. Why do some El Niños have no impact on tropical North Atlantic SST? Geophysical Research Letters, 35(13):L16705, 5 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL034734 2008
Ref. 400 - Wang, C., and S.-K. Lee. Global warming and United States landfalling hurricanes. Geophysical Research Letters, 35(2):L02708, 4 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL032396 2008
Ref. 455 - Wang, C., S.-K. Lee, and D.B. Enfield. Atlantic warm pool acting as a link between Atlantic multidecadal oscillation and Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 9:Q05V03, 16 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GC001809 2008
Ref. 456 - Wang, C., S.-K. Lee, and D.B. Enfield. Climate response to anomalously large and small Atlantic warm pools during the summer. Journal of Climate, 21(11):2437-2450, https://doi.org/10.1175/2007JCLI2029.1 2008
Ref. 457 - Lee, S.-K., D.B. Enfield, and C. Wang. What drives the seasonal onset and decay of the western hemisphere warm pool? Journal of Climate, 20(10):2133-2146, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI4113.1 2007
Ref. 495 - Wang, C., and S.-K. Lee. Atlantic warm pool, Caribbean low-level jet, and their potential impact on Atlantic hurricanes. Geophysical Research Letters, 34(2):L02703, 5 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL028579 2007
Ref. 530 - Wang, C., S.-K. Lee, and D.B. Enfield. Impact of the Atlantic warm pool on the summer climate of the western hemisphere. Journal of Climate, 20(20):5021-5040, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI4304.1 2007
Ref. 531 - Enfield, D.B., S.-K. Lee, and C. Wang. How are large western hemisphere warm pools formed? Progress in Oceanography, 70(2-4):346-365, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2005.07.006 2006
Ref. 569 - Pelegri, J.L., J.H. Churchill, A.D. Kirwan, S.-K. Lee, R.E. Munn, and N.R. Pettigrew. Gabriel T. Csanady: Understanding the physics of the ocean. Progress in Oceanography, 70(2-4):91-112, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2006.07.002 2006
Ref. 621 - Wang, C., D.B. Enfield, S.-K. Lee, and C.W. Landsea. Influences of the Atlantic warm pool on western hemisphere summer rainfall and Atlantic hurricanes. Journal of Climate, 19(12):3011-3028, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI3770.1 2006
Ref. 651 - Enfield, D.B., and S.-K. Lee. The heat balance of the western hemisphere warm pool. Journal of Climate, 18(4):2662-2681, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI3427.1 2005
Ref. 679 - Lee, S.-K., D.B. Enfield, and C. Wang. Ocean general circulation model sensitivity experiments on the annual cycle of Western Hemisphere warm pool. Journal of Geophysical Research, 110(C9):C09004, 16 pp., https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JC002640 2005
Ref. 701 - Thacker, W.C., S.-K. Lee, and G.R. Halliwell. Assimilating 20 years of Atlantic XBT data into HYCOM: A first look. Ocean Modelling, 7(1-2):183-210, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2003.08.002 2004
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NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Employee of the Year Award 2022
For groundbreaking scientific research that evaluates how El Niño-Southern Oscillation events will evolve in all seasons as a result of anthropogenic climate change, with significant implications for future Atlantic hurricane season intensities and springtime tornado outbreaks in the United States.
South Florida Federal Executive Board Employee of the Year (Scientific Category) 2017
For research that has demonstrated a relationship between sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and the likelihood of severe tornado outbreaks in the United States, enabling vulnerable communities and first responders to plan for likely severe seasons with a lead time of approximately 1-3 months.
NOAA’s Team Member of the Month Award 2012
For research identifying a relationship between La Niña conditions in the tropical Pacific and increased tornadic activity in the United States.