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Christopher Kerr

Christopher Kerr

Christopher Kerr

Research
Scientist II

christopher.kerr@ou.edu
christopher.kerr@noaa.gov
National Weather Center 4378

Education

  • PhD, Meteorology, University of Oklahoma
  • MS, Meteorology, University of Oklahoma
  • BS, Physics, Clemson University

Affiliated CIWRO Team

  • Data Assimilation & Modeling

About

Dr. Kerr has been a full-time scientist with CIWRO since 2018 as part of the Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) development team. His research has involved improvements to short-term model forecasts of individual thunderstorms while also using models to study storm dynamics. After a tornado outbreak impacted his home-county in 2020, he performed a forecasting and dynamical analysis of the event in collaboration with the National Weather Service - Columbia, SC.

Research Focus

  • Convective-scale modeling and data assimilation
  • Development and evaluation of a 1-km Warn-on-Forecast System

CIWRO Research Themes

  • Mesoscale and Stormscale Modeling R&D
Honors and awards
  • 2015 Yoshi Sasaki Award for Best M.S. Publication, University of Oklahoma
  • NCAR Advanced Study Program Graduate Visitor, 2015
Publications
  • Kerr, C. A., D. J. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2015: Assimilation of cloud-top temperature and radar observations of an idealized splitting supercell using an Observing System Simulation Experiment. Mon. Wea. Rev., 143, 1018–1034, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-14-00146.1.
  • Kerr, C. A., D. J. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2017: Verification of convection-allowing model ensemble analyses of near-storm environments using MPEX upsonde observations. Mon. Wea. Rev., 145, 857-875, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-16-0287.1.
  • Kerr, C. A., D. J. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2019: Diagnosing convective dependencies on near-storm environments using ensemble sensitivity analyses. Mon. Wea. Rev., 147, 495-517, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-18-0140.1.
  • Kerr, C. A., and X. Wang, 2020: Ensemble-based targeted observation method applied to radar radial velocity observations on idealized supercell low-level rotation forecasts: a proof of concept. Mon. Wea. Rev., 148, 877-890, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-19-0197.1.
  • Huang, Y., X. Wang, C. Kerr, A. Mahre, T. Yu, D. Bodine, 2020: Impact of assimilating future clear-air radial velocity observations from phased array radar on a supercell forecast: an observing system simulation experiment study. Mon. Wea. Rev., 148, 3825-3845, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-19-0391.1.
  • Kerr, C. A., L. J. Wicker, and P. S. Skinner, 2021: Updraft-based adaptive assimilation of radial velocity observations in a Warn-on-Forecast system. Wea. Forecasting, 36, 21-37, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-19-0251.1.
  • Kerr, C. A., and F. Alsheimer, 2022: Storm-scale predictability and analysis of the 13 April 2020 Central Savannah River Area tornado outbreak. Wea. Forecasting, 37, 901-913, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-21-0185.1.
  • Wang, Y., N. Yussouf, C. A. Kerr, D. R. Stratman, B. C. Matilla, 2022: Testing the performance of an experimental 1-km ensemble Warn-on-Forecast analysis and forecast system for severe weather events. Mon. Wea. Rev., 150, 3081-3102, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-22-0094.1.
  • Kerr, C. A., B. Matilla, N. Yussouf, Y. Wang, and D. R. Stratman, 2023: Results from a realtime next-generation 1-km Warn-on-Forecast system prototype. Wea. Forecasting, 38, 307-319, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-22-0080.1.
  • Stratman, D. R., N. Yussouf, C. A. Kerr, B. C. Matilla, J. R. Lawson, and Y. Wang, 2024: Testing Stochastic and Perturbed Parameter Methods in an Experimental 1-km Warn-on-Forecast System Using NSSL’s Phased-Array Radar Observations. Mon. Wea. Rev., 152, 433–454, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-23-0095.1.
Conference presentations
  • Kerr, C., D. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2014: Assimilation of cloud top temperature and radar observations of an idealized splitting supercell. 18th Conf. on Integrated Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land Surface, Atlanta, GA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 2.4.
  • Kerr, C., D. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2014: Using near-storm soundings from the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment to analyze convection permitting model accuracy: 28 May 2013. 27th Conf. on Severe Local Storms, Madison, WI, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 65.
  • Kerr, C., D. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2015: Significance of environmental vertical wind shear in convective upscale growth: Observations and model analyses. 16th Conf. on Mesoscale Processes, Boston, MA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 5.4.
  • Kerr, C., D. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2016: Impacts by deep convection on the surrounding environment: Observations and model analyses. 20th Conf. on Integrated Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land Surface, New Orleans, LA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 3A.3.
  • Kerr, C., D. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2016: Comparison of EnKF analyses and observations: Impacts by deep convection on the surrounding environment. 7th EnKF Data Assimilation Workshop, State College, PA.
  • Kerr, C., D. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2016: Verification of near-storm environment analyses and forecasts using MPEX upsonde observations. 28th Conf. on Severe Local Storms, Portland, OR, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 11B.1.
  • Kerr, C., D. Stensrud, and X. Wang, 2017: Verification of near-storm environment forecasts using MPEX upsonde observations. 28th Conf. on Wea. Analysis and Forecasting / 24th Conf. on NWP, Seattle, WA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 125.
  • Kerr, C., 2017: Multi-function phased array radar observation targeting of a convective storm. 5th International Symposium of Earth-Science Challenges, Uji, Kyoto, Japan, Kyoto University.
  • Kerr, C. and X. Wang, 2018: Impacts of multi-function phased array radar targeted observations on ensemble-based numerical prediction of convective storms. 8th EnKF Data Assimilation Workshop, Sainte-Adèle, QC, Canada.
  • Kerr, C. and X. Wang, 2018: Impacts of PAR radial velocity observations on idealized supercell low-level rotation forecasts. 29th Conf. on Severe Local Storms, Stowe, VT, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 15.5.
  • Kerr, C., L. Wicker, P. Skinner, 2020: Adaptive radial velocity assimilation in the Warn-on-Forecast system. 24th Conf. on Integrated Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land Surface, Boston, MA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 4A.6.
  • Kerr, C., D. Stratman, N. Yussouf, Y. Wang, 2021: Effects of clear-air radial velocity assimilation in the Warn-on-Forecast system. 25th Conf. on Integrated Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land Surface, Virtual, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 4.4.
  • Kerr, C., 2022: Predictability of the 13 April 2020 Central Savannah River Area tornado outbreak using the Warn-on-Forecast System. 31st Conf. on Weather Analysis and Forecasting/27th Conf. on Numerical Weather Prediction, Virtual, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 13C.3.
  • Kerr, C., B. Matilla, Y. Wang, D. Stratman, N. Yussouf, Y. Wang, 2022: Overview of the pseudo-realtime 1-km Warn-on-Forecast System operations during the 2022 Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Forecasting Experiment. 30th Conf. on Severe Local Storms, Santa Fe, NM, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper P103.
  • Kerr, C., P. Skinner, D. Stratman, B. Matilla, Y. Wang, N. Yussouf, Y. Wang, 2023: Storm object size analysis in a 1-km Warn-on-Forecast System prototype. 28th Conf. on Numerical Weather Prediction, Madison, WI, Amer. Meteor. Soc., paper 5.3.
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Updated 10/30/2025 by Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO): ciwro@ou.edu