Research leader

Jeff Kepert
Dr Jeff Kepert Research Leader

Research team

Dr Kevin Tory Research Team
Dr Dragana Zovko-Rajak Research Team
David Wilke Research Team

End User representatives

John Bally End-User
Paul Fox-Hughes
Paul Fox-Hughes End-User
Allen Gale
Allen Gale End-User
Andrew Grace End-User
Frank Crisci End-User
Alisa Schofield End-User

This project used high-resolution modelling, together with a range of meteorological data, to better understand and predict important meteorological natural hazards, including fire weather, tropical cyclones, severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The outcomes from the project are contributing to reducing the impact and cost of these hazards on people, infrastructure, the economy and the environment.

Specific case studies undertaken included the New South Wales Blue Mountains bushfires of 2013; ember transport by fire plumes; pyrocumulus cloud simulation and prediction, and the NSW April 2015 East Coast Low.

Ember transport

The study developed an understanding of how fire embers generated during bushfires can be lifted into the atmosphere and carried by winds ahead of a fire front, potentially starting new fires downwind. The team undertook simulations for ember transport for a wide range of wind speeds and ember fall speeds. It is important to consider a range of fall speeds, since different types of embers have different densities and aerodynamic properties which affect how far they are carried.

Pyrocumulonimbus

Plume modelling has also been utilised to study pyrocumulonimbus clouds (PyroCb). Intense fire plumes in suitably moist environments can lead to PyroCb development, with the possibility of strong downbursts which can exacerbate already extreme fire conditions. A survey of current understanding and forecast techniques was completed, and the team has worked towards developing improved techniques.

Blue Mountains bushfire

A detailed case study of the Blue Mountains fires of October 2013 was undertaken, focusing on 17 October when some 200 houses were destroyed. Analysis uncovered a weather phenomenon known as mountain waves which contributed to the severe fire behaviour. Mountain waves are atmospheric oscillations that occur due to air flowing over hills or mountains. They can arise in several different ways, some more predictable than others. Often they cause strong downslope winds on the lee slope of the hill or mountain.

April 2015 East Coast Low

Collectively, the ensemble weather simulations accurately predicted the position and intensity of the low, the strong winds and the rainfall. The differences between them give insight as to the forecast uncertainty, the overall envelope of areas at some risk, and the areas at highest risk. The ensemble also enables insight into the processes that lead to the rapid intensification of these systems. The team is continuing to learn from ensemble simulations about predictability of East Coast Lows and how to use this information to benefit both forecasters and the emergency services.

Specific outcomes of this project have:

  • improved the scientific understanding of severe weather phenomena in Australia
  • improved the knowledge of how to best predict these phenomena, including model configuration and interpretation
  • contributed to the post-event analysis and lessons learned of selected severe events that occur during the course of the project
  • informed the development of numerical weather prediction systems specifically for severe weather.
Year Type Citation
2022 Report Kepert, J. et al. Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community impact – final project report. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2022).
2020 Journal Article Tory, K. J. & Kepert, J. Pyrocumulonimbus Firepower Threshold: Assessing the atmospheric potential for pyroCb. Weather and Forecasting (2020). doi:https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-20-0027.1
2020 Report Tory, K. J. The real-time trial of the Pyrocumulonimbus Firepower Threshold. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2020).
2020 Report Kepert, J., Tory, K. J., Zovko-Rajak, D., Wilke, D. & Schroeter, S. Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community impact. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2020).
2019 Conference Paper Zovko-Rajak, D., Tory, K. J. & Kepert, J. A case study of South Australia's severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak . AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum (Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, 2019). at <https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/>
2019 Conference Paper Tory, K. J. Pyrocumulonimbus Firepower Threshold: a pyrocumulonimbus prediction tool. AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum (Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, 2019). at <https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/>
2018 Journal Article Zieger, S., Greenslade, D. & Kepert, J. Wave ensemble forecasts for tropical cyclones in the Australian region. Ocean Dynamics 68, 603-625 (2018).
2018 Journal Article Kepert, J. The boundary layer dynamics of tropical cyclone rainbands. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 75, (2018).
2018 Report Tory, K. J. Models of buoyant plume rise. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2018).
2017 Conference Paper Kepert, J. Secondary eyewall formation in tropical cyclones. AFAC17 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
2017 Conference Paper Rumsewicz, M. Research proceedings from the 2017 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2017 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
2017 Conference Paper Tory, K. J., Thurston, W. & Kepert, J. Thermodynamic considerations of pyrocumulus formation. AFAC17 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
2017 Journal Article Kepert, J. Time and space scales in the tropical cyclone boundary layer, and the location of the eyewall updraft. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences (2017). doi:10.1175/JAS-D-17-0077.1
2017 Journal Article Thurston, W., Kepert, J., Tory, K. J. & Fawcett, R. The contribution of turbulent plume dynamics to long-range spotting. International Journal of Wildland Fire 26, 317-330 (2017).
2017 Report Kepert, J. et al. Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community impact: midterm report 2014-17. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
2016 Conference Paper Thurston, W., Tory, K. J., Fawcett, R. & Kepert, J. The effects of turbulent plume dynamics on long-range spotting. AFAC16 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2016).
2016 Conference Paper Thurston, W., Tory, K. J., Fawcett, R. & Kepert, J. Long-range spotting by bushfire plumes: The effects of plume dynamics and turbulence on firebrand trajectory. 5th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference (International Association of Wildland Fire, 2016).
2016 Conference Paper Thurston, W., Tory, K. J., Fawcett, R. & Kepert, J. Large-eddy simulations of pyro-convection and its sensitivity to mositure. 5th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference (International Association of Wildland Fire, 2016).
2016 Conference Paper Rumsewicz, M. Research proceedings from the 2016 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2016 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2016).
2016 Conference Paper Ching, S., Fawcett, R., Thurston, W., Tory, K. J. & Kepert, J. Mesoscale features related to the Blue Mountains fires of 17 October 2013 revealed by high resolution Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) modelling. 5th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference (International Association of Wildland Fire, 2016).
2016 Report Tory, K. J., Peace, M. & Thurston, W. Pyrocumulonimbus forecasting: needs and issues. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2016).
2016 Report Kepert, J. et al. Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community impact: Annual project report 2015-2016. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2016).
2015 Conference Paper Kepert, J., Naughton, M. & Bally, J. Managing Severe Weather - Progress and Opportunities Conference Paper 2014. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Wellington Conference 2014 (2015).
2015 Conference Paper Fawcett, R., Yeo, C., Thurston, W., Kepert, J. & Tory, K. J. Modelling the Fire Weather of the Coonabarabran Fire of 13 January 2013. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Wellington Conference 2014 (2015).
2015 Conference Paper Rumsewicz, M. Research proceedings from the 2015 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2015 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2015).
2015 Conference Paper Thurston, W., Tory, K. J., Fawcett, R. & Kepert, J. Large-eddy simulations of pyro-convection and its sensitivity to environmental conditions - peer viewed. Adelaide Conference 2015 (2015).
2015 Journal Article Thurston, W., Fawcett, R., Tory, K. J. & Kepert, J. Simulating boundary-layer rolls with a numerical weather prediction model. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 1-14 (2015). at <http://www.cawcr.gov.au/staff/jdk/Kepert_papers/Thurston_etal_2015_qjrms_acc.pdf>
2015 Presentation Kepert, J., Thurston, W., Ching, S., Tory, K. J. & Fawcett, R. Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community risk. (2015).
2015 Report Tory, K. J. & Thurston, W. Pyrocumulonimbus: A Literature Review. (2015).
2015 Report Kepert, J., Tory, K. J., Thurston, W., Ching, S. & Fawcett, R. Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community impact: Annual project report 2014-2015. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2015).
Date Title Download Key Topics
21 Mar 2014 Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community impact PDF icon 2.77 MB (2.77 MB) risk management, severe weather, warnings
07 Aug 2014 Fire Weather Research and Development PDF icon 3.3 MB (3.3 MB) fire weather, governance
08 Sep 2014 Modelling the fire weather of the Coonabarabran fire of 13 January 2013 PDF icon 10.08 MB (10.08 MB) fire weather, modelling
08 Sep 2014 The effects of fire plume dynamics on the lateral and longitudinal spread of long-range spotting PDF icon 2.25 MB (2.25 MB) fire, fire impacts
08 Sep 2014 Managing severe weather - progress and opportunities PDF icon 2.61 MB (2.61 MB)
20 Oct 2014 Managing severe weather - progress and opportunities risk management, severe weather
22 Oct 2014 Managing severe weather: progress and opportunities forecasting, risk management, severe weather
02 Sep 2015 The Sydney 2014 Forecasting Demonstration Project A Step from Research to Operations PDF icon 1.27 MB (1.27 MB) fire impacts, fire weather, severe weather
11 Sep 2015 Large-eddy simulations of pyro-convection and its sensitivity to environmental conditions PDF icon 1.24 MB (1.24 MB) environments, fire weather, modelling
03 Apr 2016 Monitoring and prediction - cluster overview File 0 bytes (0 bytes) forecasting, multi-hazard, scenario analysis
30 Aug 2016 Why use ensemble prediction? - Jeff Kepert PDF icon 4.81 MB (4.81 MB) fire weather, forecasting, severe weather
30 Aug 2016 The effects of turbulent plume dynamics on long-range spotting - Will Thurston PDF icon 2.56 MB (2.56 MB) fire, fire severity, fire weather
24 Oct 2016 Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community risk PDF icon 9.18 MB (9.18 MB) forecasting, modelling, severe weather
28 Nov 2016 Monitoring and predicting natural hazards PDF icon 853.18 KB (853.18 KB) forecasting, modelling, severe weather
12 Dec 2016 Fire escalation by downslope winds PDF icon 1.08 MB (1.08 MB) fire impacts, fire severity, fire weather
30 May 2017 Fire Australia Issue Two 2017 PDF icon 5.11 MB (5.11 MB) flood, severe weather, volunteering
07 Jul 2017 Lightning presentation: improved predictions of severe weather PDF icon 2.59 MB (2.59 MB) communication, fire weather, severe weather
07 Sep 2017 Secondary eyewall formation in tropical cyclones PDF icon 1.04 MB (1.04 MB) cyclone, severe weather, tropical
07 Sep 2017 Thermodynamics of pyrocumulus formation PDF icon 2.79 MB (2.79 MB) fire, fire weather, severe weather
31 Oct 2017 Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community impact PDF icon 1.93 MB (1.93 MB) forecasting, mitigation, severe weather
23 Nov 2018 Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community risk PDF icon 2.14 MB (2.14 MB) communities, severe weather
13 Dec 2018 The development of a pyrocumulonimbus prediction tool: AFAC webinar File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, fire, fire impacts
18 Jun 2019 Forecasting the Impacts of Severe Weather: How does our work reduce the impacts of natural disasters? PDF icon 648.54 KB (648.54 KB) communities, severe weather
18 Jun 2019 Making better forecasts PDF icon 12.57 MB (12.57 MB) communities, modelling, severe weather
30 Jul 2019 Improved predictions of severe weather to reduce community risk PDF icon 2.76 MB (2.76 MB) communities, severe weather
27 Aug 2019 The PyroCb Firepower Threshold: A pyrocumulonimbus prediction tool PDF icon 9.16 MB (9.16 MB) fire weather, severe weather
27 Aug 2019 A case study of South Australia's severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak (28 September 2016) PDF icon 4.84 MB (4.84 MB) communication, flood
02 Jul 2020 The PyrcoCb Firepower Threshold (PFT): a tool for pyrocumulonimbus prediction by Kevin Tory File 0 bytes (0 bytes) fire weather, severe weather, storm surge
07 Dec 2020 Severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak in South Australia coastal, risk management, storm surge
08 Dec 2020 Forecasting fire-generated thunderstorms fire weather, severe weather, storm surge
18 Mar 2021 Fire Australia Issue One 2021 PDF icon 5.2 MB (5.2 MB) animals, communities, severe weather
17 May 2021 Fire Australia Issue Two 2021 PDF icon 11.74 MB (11.74 MB) capability, emergency management, Northern Australia
Improved predictions of severe weather to help reduce community impact
25 Aug 2014
To improve our understanding of and ability to predict severe weather, including for bush fires, tropical...
Weather Science to Societal Impact: Opportunities for Australia in the World Meteorological Organisation's High Impact Weather Project
18 Aug 2015
The Bureau of Meteorology seeks Australian collaborators to participate in a new 10-year international high...
Modelling the Fire Weather of the Blue Mountains Fires of October 2013
18 Aug 2015
High resolution simulations over the Blue Mountains Region on 17 October 2013 show several interesting...
Long-Range Spotting by Bushfire Plumes: The Effects of In-Plume Turbulence on Firebrand Trajectory
18 Aug 2015
Large-eddy simulations of bushfire plumes are combined with firebrand trajectory calculations to estimate the...
Will Thurston Conference Poster 2016
14 Aug 2016
Pyrocumulonimbus clouds have been linked to highly dangerous fire behaviour.
Thermodynamics of pyrocumulus formation
29 Jun 2017
In favourable atmospheric conditions, large hot fires can produce pyrocumulus cloud: deep convective columns...
Ensemble prediction of the East Coast Low of April 2015
29 Jun 2017
Between 20-23 April 2015 the eastern coast of Australia was affected by a low-pressure system, known as an...
A case study of South Australia's severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak (28 September 2016)
19 Sep 2018
One of the most significant thunderstorm outbreaks recorded in South Australia impacted central and eastern...
27 Aug 2019
In extreme cases, embers transported in a bushfire plume have started new fires over thirty kilometres away....
27 Aug 2019
Pyrocumulonimbus (fire-induced thunderstorms, pyroCb) are associated with unpredictable changes in fire...
31 Aug 2020
Key findings: High-resolutionsimulations provide valuable insight into the meteorology of the Tathrabushfire.
31 Aug 2020
Key findings: Our new method for calculating bushfire ember transport is accurateand very fast.
31 Aug 2020
Key findings: “The PFT provided very useful guidance to forecasters briefing emergency services.”