I want to be …a Severe Weather Scientist

Name: Dr. David Sills
Title: Severe Weather Scientist
Education: PhD and Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science from York University

Current work at EC: David works in the Cloud Physics and Severe Weather Research Section at the King Weather Radar Research Facility in King City, Ontario.

Severe weather watches: David’s section works on meteorological process studies related to both summer and winter severe weather. His focus is on summer severe weather, such as severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. In particular, he studies how air mass boundaries such as ‘lake-breeze fronts’ in Ontario and ‘drylines’ in Alberta act to influence both thunderstorm and tornado development. These studies help to make severe weather watches and warnings more accurate and timely. 

How he became interested in his job: Growing up in the Windsor Ontario area, David was always fascinated by the violent storms that often affect that region.

Interesting fact about his position: David’s field work studying severe weather has taken him across Canada, to the US, and even to Australia.

Photo: Patrick McCarthy © Environment Canada, 2009.