Michael Fischer

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and a Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) Core Faculty Member. My research examines hurricane structure and intensity change, with a focus on better understanding and predicting rapid intensification.

Michael Fischer

About Me

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. My research uses data science methods to better understand tropical cyclones, with the overarching goal of providing tools that can be used to improve their prediction.

My work typically uses a combination of observations, numerical modeling simulations and machine learning methods to investigate the complex relationships between convective processes, vortex structure, and storm intensification. I am particularly interested in better understanding the processes that lead to rapid intensification.

I am passionate about bridging the gap between research and operations, with a focus on improving tropical cyclone intensity forecasts through better understanding of internal storm dynamics.

Current Position

Assistant Professor

Rosenstiel School for Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science;

Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) Core Faculty Member

University of Miami

Education

Ph.D. Atmospheric Science

University at Albany (SUNY)

Research Interests

Tropical Cyclone Intensity Change

Tropical Cyclone Structure

Machine Learning

Convective Processes

Research Areas

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Tropical Cyclone Structure

Investigating the three-dimensional structure of tropical cyclones using airborne Doppler radar observations and machine learning methods, with emphasis on precipitation structure, vortex tilt, and storm size.

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Intensity Change Mechanisms

Analyzing the physical processes leading to tropical cyclone rapid intensification, including the role of convective bursts and environmental interactions.

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Airborne Observations

Utilizing tail Doppler radar observations from NOAA reconnaissance aircraft to create comprehensive datasets of tropical cyclone inner-core structure. See the TC-RADAR database below for more.

Recent Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Reconsideration of the mass and condensate sources for the tropical cyclone outflow
Nolan, D. S., Fischer, M. S., and M. E O’Neill
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 106, E1342–E1359 (2025)
Are rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones associated with unique vortex and convective characteristics?
Fischer, M. S., P. D. Reasor, J. P. Dunion, and R. F. Rogers
Monthly Weather Review, 153, 183–203 (2025)
A review of the effects of vertical wind shear on tropical cyclone structure and intensity
Rios-Berrios, R., P. M. Finocchio, J. J. Alland, X. Chen, Fischer, M. S., et al.
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 81, 713–741 (2024)
An observational analysis of the relationship between tropical cyclone vortex tilt, precipitation structure, and intensity change
Fischer, M. S., R. F. Rogers, P. D. Reasor, and J. P. Dunion
Monthly Weather Review, 152, 203–225 (2024)
On the distribution of convective and stratiform precipitation in tropical cyclones and its relationship to intensity change
Wadler, J. B., J. J. Cione, R. F. Rogers, and Fischer, M. S.
Monthly Weather Review, 151, 3209–3233 (2023)
A tale of two vortex evolutions: Assessing ventilation impacts on tropical cyclone rapid intensification
Fischer, M. S., P. D. Reasor, B. H. Tang, et al.
Monthly Weather Review, 151, 297–320 (2023)

In Review / In Preparation

To align or not to align? That is the question
Fischer, M. S., G. R. Alvey III, D. Jariwala, and P. D. Reasor
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, in review (2026)
Estimating tropical cyclone vortex tilt from geostationary satellite imagery using a random forest
Fischer, M. S., W. Bouza, D. Jariwala, and M. Reardon
Weather and Forecasting, in preparation (2026)

Book & Encyclopedia Chapters

Tropical cyclone intensity predictability
Sippel, J. A., and Fischer, M. S.
Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences (3rd Ed.), Vol. 1, 446–459 (2026)

Get In Touch

Interested in collaboration or have questions about my research? Feel free to reach out!

🏒 University of Miami
πŸ“ Miami, Florida