Katharina  Stolla

I am interested in large-scale atmospheric dynamics, with a particular focus on the Hadley circulation. The Hadley circulation plays a crucial role in the Earth’s climate system by regulating the planet’s energy budget. Understanding the mechanisms that drive this circulation has been a subject of scientific investigations for centuries.

A key theoretical framework in this area is the model proposed by Held and Hou (1980), in which the Hadley circulation arises as a dynamic response to reduce the meridional temperature gradient between the tropics and subtropics. Since its introduction, the Held–Hou model has served as a foundational reference for research on tropical atmospheric dynamics. However, many of the simplifying assumptions underlying the theory remain explored.

My work aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms governing the Hadley cell by analyzing idealized, yet fully moist, global climate model (GCM) simulations. Through this approach, I investigate how the Held–Hou framework can be interpreted and potentially extended in the context of more realistic atmospheric processes.