Meet Matthew Cann

Matthew Cann joined the Physical Sciences Laboratory as a Pathways Student Intern in May 2017, working with Allen White and the Hydrometeorology Observations and Processes Team. He is using PSL’s extensive network of snow-level radars, wind profilers and disdrometers to study the microphysical growth of non-brightband rain in the coastal mountains of California. He is also developing an hourly, analog quantitative precipitation forecast model to provide guidance for high precipitation events in California.

Before coming to Colorado and PSL, Matt lived in New Hampshire and attended Plymouth State University. While earning his Master’s degree, he studied precipitation and boundary layer processes in the White Mountain National Forest. His work included designing a cold air pool monitoring study and siting and deploying a rain gauge network, while partnering with the Mount Washington Observatory and the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest.

Matt is entering his 2nd year as a PhD student in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at CU Boulder, where he works with advisor Katja Friedrich. His CU research is focused on Seeded and Natural Orographic Wintertime Clouds: The Idaho Experiment (SNOWIE). He is using radar data from the Doppler on Wheels (DOW) to understand the natural dynamical and microphysical processes of hydrometeor formation and growth, and the impact of airborne and ground-based cloud seeding techniques on those physical processes.

In his free time, Matt enjoys a variety of seasonally-based hobbies which includes, ice hockey, curling, ice fishing, snowshoeing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking, fishing, camping, and kayaking in the summer. He is also passionate about time-lapse photography and sustainable, organic farming. He has raised chickens for eggs and maintained a diverse organic garden, from which he enjoys cooking with freshly grown ingredients.