Judah Cohen is an American atmospheric scientist and meteorologist known for his research into the relationship between Arctic climate change and mid-latitude weather patterns. He is a principal scientist at Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), a Verisk company.
Research and Contributions
Cohen's work primarily focuses on the teleconnections between changes in the Arctic — specifically reductions in Arctic sea ice and snow cover — and their influence on the polar vortex and subsequent impacts on weather in North America, Europe, and Asia. He is a leading proponent of the "warm Arctic, cold continents" hypothesis, which suggests that amplified warming in the Arctic can lead to more extreme winter weather events in lower latitudes.
His research involves analyzing atmospheric circulation patterns, utilizing climate models, reanalysis data, and observational studies to understand how changes in the Arctic, such as the timing and extent of snow cover, can disrupt the polar vortex, leading to its weakening or displacement. This disruption can allow cold air masses to descend southward, resulting in severe winter storms and colder temperatures in temperate regions.
Cohen frequently contributes to scientific literature and public discourse on climate-weather linkages, particularly concerning seasonal climate predictions and the attribution of extreme weather events. His work has aimed to improve long-range weather forecasting by incorporating these Arctic-midlatitude interactions.