Profile: Paul Joe

Environment Canada scientist brings precision to weather forecasting

The next time you hear a severe weather warning on the radio, think of Paul Joe. He’s been working for more than 20 years now to bring you the most precise information about when, where and how that severe weather is going to hit.

Paul works in the Cloud Physics and Severe Weather Research Section of Environment Canada. Recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts in radar meteorology, Paul has received a 2008 Public Service Award for his leadership in the field.

Cloud Physics

Paul’s interest in weather forecasting began when he finished an engineering science degree in the late 1970s. He switched to cloud physics for his master’s degree and PhD. In 1982, he joined Environment Canada on a fellowship, then became full time in 1987.

As the chief scientist of the National Radar Project that began in 1997, Paul spearheaded the development of Canada’s first national Doppler radar network, connecting 30 weather radars in populated areas across Canada. The Doppler network increased the accuracy of short-term weather reporting, pinpointing more closely the time, place and character of weather systems. Paul also developed the Unified Radar Processing software that supports the network.

Observation tool

The Doppler system has become Canada’s primary short-term observation tool to forecast tornadoes, thunderstorms, snow squalls, high winds and other severe weather conditions. Paul has trained meteorologists both in Canada and in other countries how to use it.

Paul also has worked to advance weather forecasting internationally. In 2000, he organized the first international Forecast Demonstration Project, held during the Olympics in Sydney, Australia. With the World Meteorological Organization’s World Weather Research Programme (WWRP), the project gathered leading international scientists to demonstrate their forecasting programs.

Reliable tool

Paul showed Canada’s Doppler radar system, which “truly functioned as a reliable and accurate operational aid, more than any other system in Sydney,” says Richard Carbone, past chairman of the WWRP.

Another demonstration is planned for the Beijing Olympics this summer. Paul is helping Beijing to organize that project. “The advantage of the collaboration,” says Paul, “is savings in valuable research time and money. We don’t have to invest our own money and time to see these systems in action. Sharing the expertise and data is very cost-effective.”

First winter project

Paul is also organizing the first winter forecasting project for the Vancouver Games in 2010. It will include a multinational effort to develop very short-term winter forecasting tools.

In 2003, Paul worked on the Forecaster Workstation Project, called NinJo. It included German, Danish and Swiss scientists, and combines the Doppler radar with satellite, model and lightning technologies. Paul led the initial scientific development of  the Canadian portion of NinJo.

Radar in space

Another project on Paul’s agenda is a radar system in space to measure Arctic snowfall as a climate change indicator.

Meanwhile, Paul forecasts better weather reporting for the future. “There needs to be better delivery of specific weather information,” he says, “so that people know exactly when a severe rainstorm will hit, its specific location, and the type it will be.” Paul expects that kind of forecasting in another 10 to 20 years. It may be sooner with Paul leading the way.

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