Dr. Stephanie Henderson

@drsahenderson.bsky.social

Atmospheric Scientist. Assistant Prof at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Subseasonal to seasonal variability, tropical-extratropical interactions, MJO, climate dynamics, and blocking. Opinions are my own. https://stephanieahenderson.weebly.com/

New paper alert! We look at the impact of MJO, ENSO, and blocking on North Pacific jet forecasts. From the role of MJO+ENSO teleconnection interference to the difficulty of forecasting blocking events, we take a deep look into understanding what drives forecast skill changes. doi.org/10.1175/WAF-...

The Influence of Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Modes of Variability on Medium-Range North Pacific Jet Stream Forecasts

Abstract The state and evolution of the North Pacific jet (NPJ) stream exert considerable influence on weather conditions across North America. The NPJ is modulated by several multiscale processes dur...

doi.org

Most of Wisconsin is in a Level 3/5 risk of severe weather tomorrow for damaging winds. Some large hail and tornadoes are also possible. Stay weather aware tomorrow afternoon and evening!

Most of central and eastern Wisconsin are under a level 3/5 risk of severe weather for Monday July 20.

The Merlin Bird ID app will soon allow users to contribute data to monitor bird populations and aid conservation efforts. The project at Cornell University that produced the Merlin Bird ID app was funded by NSF’s Directorate for STEM Education (EDU), which was gutted by the Trump regime. 🪶

Birdsong data from Merlin ID app to help global biodiversity project

Cornell Lab for Ornithology plans data linkup between app and population monitoring on eBird platform

theguardian.com

NIH grants have been under political scrutiny since early 2025. But what does the screening process actually look like? What is being flagged? I spent a month digging into leaked docs and emails. We've published the 235-word list that are being flagged by an internal AI tool. And so much more. 🧵

Inside the new political screening that’s stalling NIH grants

Mandatory reviews by top health officials and checks for 235 disfavoured terms have left hundreds of vetted grant applications in administrative limbo.

nature.com

NSF announcement is out: NSF "appreciates the concerns raised by the range of stakeholders that have informed us they rely on data from the [OOI.] Effective immediately, NSF will not proceed with further removal or descoping of equipment from the remaining arrays." www.nsf.gov/news/update-...

Update on Ocean Observatories Initiative

The U.S. National Science Foundation appreciates the concerns raised by the range of stakeholders that have informed us they rely on data from the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). Effective…

nsf.gov

Eos@eos.org · 2mo ago

Update: Never mind, @nytimes.com reports! eos.org/research-and...

Russell Vought, Director of the OMB, has issued a set of proposed changes that would dramatically alter federal grant funding. However, we can each take action to prevent these from taking effect. Here's how, a 🧵 🧪 1/n www.science.org/content/arti...

White House seeks to tighten political oversight of grantmaking

Sweeping proposed rule, now open for comments, would also restrict foreign collaborations and remove federal funding for open-access fees

science.org

Last Friday, the Trump White House announced new rules that would give oversight of federal grants to senior political appointees. The proposal also bans certain foreign collaborations and cuts support for publishing costs. The current system of indirect cost reimbursement was left unchanged.

White House seeks to tighten political oversight of grantmaking

Sweeping proposed rule, now open for comments, would also restrict foreign collaborations and remove federal funding for open-access fees

science.org

Hi everyone! With the abstract submission deadlines for the 2026 AMS Madison Joint Summit coming up, wanted to advertise these student award and travel opportunities available via the AMS WAF/NWP conferences. Feel free to spread the word to any interested students!

Weather Analysis and Forecasting / Numerical Weather Prediction Conference Student Travel Grant Awards

Student presentations selected as part of the 34WAF/30NWP conferences have the option of being judged, with a $50 award going to the top 3 oral and poster presentations in each conference (12 awards total). 

Also, once abstracts have been submitted, the WAF/NWP committee will offer three $375 travel grants to students whose abstracts have been accepted. 

Students who wish to be considered for a travel grant must send the following documents to the program chairs (austin.coleman@noaa.gov, john.lind@noaa.gov, jbravo2@stevens.edu, and tomer@windbornesystems.com) no later than Friday, April 3rd, 2026:
Statement of why they wish to attend the WAF/NWP conferences
- Statement of commitment to attend if they receive the travel grant
- Letter of support from their advisor
- Ensure that you have submitted an abstract to the WAF or NWP conferences before the abstract submission deadline

We have some big and fast air pressure changes (Pepsi map on the left) this morning as the clipper moves across Wisconsin, helping bring strong and gusty winds to the state. Six stations have reported >50 mph gusts this morning. High WInd Warning stays in effect through 4 pm.

Map showing 3-hour air pressure changes across Wisconsin. Eastern Wisconsin is falling rapidly, western Wisconsin is rising rapidly.Map showing the maximum wind gusts across Wisconsin. The strongest gusts have been over southern Wisconsin.