Director's Message
Welcome to the IAS Atmospheric Research Center (IAS ARC).
Tropical coastal cities are increasingly exposed to intensifying extreme weather and climate risks, including typhoons, extreme rainfall, heat waves, and compound urban climate hazards. These rapidly growing metropolitan regions sit at the intersection of complex land–sea–urban interactions, yet many of the models used today to predict and assess weather and climate extremes have been primarily developed for mid-latitude environments. As a result, significant scientific challenges remain in accurately predicting extreme events in the tropics.
The IAS Atmospheric Research Center was established to address these critical gaps. Our mission is to become an international center of excellence in advancing the understanding and predictability of extreme weather and climate in tropical coastal cities.
By integrating advances in atmospheric science, urban climate modeling, artificial intelligence, and big data, we aim to develop the next generation of hectometer-scale forecasting systems capable of “seeing” extreme events at the urban district levels.
IAS ARC serves as a platform for international scientific collaboration, bringing together leading researchers, global institutions, and organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization community to advance tropical climate science and urban weather prediction capabilities. Equally important is our commitment to impact beyond academia. We actively engage with government agencies, industry partners, and regional stakeholders to translate scientific advances into practical tools and innovative solutions that enhance climate resilience and risk preparedness.
Located in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most dynamic tropical coastal cities, IAS ARC provides a unique environment for advancing both fundamental scientific discovery and real-world impact. Together with our global partners, we aspire to position IAS ARC as a leading international hub for tropical urban weather and climate research.
We invite researchers, partners, and students from across the globe to join us in this mission.
Professor CHEN Fei
Director, IAS Atmospheric Research Center
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
