Robert E. Davis

Professor, Environmental Sciences

Primary Location

PO Box 400123
Clark Hall 386-B

Primary Phone Number

434.924.0579

Bio & Overview

The climate at any one location is determined by the temporal progression of synoptic-scale weather events. My research focuses on the temporal and spatial variability of these synoptic-scale systems and their impact upon various environmental parameters, such as air-quality and human health. Current research involves examining how weather and climate influence severe cases of respiratory distress, which can be related to both pollutants and aeroallergens as well as short-term changes in weather conditions. I also investigate the linkages between synoptic-scale and smaller spatial scale phenomena. This research has resulted in climatologies of deep-water waves, stability and long-range transport of pollutants, and severe weather. Finally, I am actively involved in the examination of climate change and variability in the context of synoptic-scale circulation.

Academic Information

Department: Environmental Sciences

Research Interests

Synoptic and applied climatology, statistical climatology, climatic change, bioclimatology.

Research Disciplines

Environmental Sciences

Selected Publications

2023

Neyra, J. S., & Davis, R. E. (2024). The association between climate and emergency department visits for renal and urinary disease in Charlottesville, Virginia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 240. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117525

Davis, R. E., Roney, P. C., Pane, M. M., Johnson, M. C., Leigh, H. V., Basener, W., . . . Novicoff, W. M. (2023). Climate and human mortality in Virginia, 2005-2020. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 894. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164825

2022

Davis, R. E., Driskill, E. K., & Novicoff, W. M. (2022). The association between weather and emergency department visitation for diabetes in Roanoke, Virginia (May, 10.1007/s00484-022-02303-4, 2022). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY, 66(8), 1599. doi:10.1007/s00484-022-02327-w

Davis, R. E., Driskill, E. K., & Novicoff, W. M. (2022). The Association between Weather and Emergency Department Visitation for Diabetes in Roanoke, Virginia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY, 66(8), 1589-1597. doi:10.1007/s00484-022-02303-4

2021

Lane, M. A., Walawender, M., Brownsword, E. A., Pu, S., Saikawa, E., Kraft, C. S., & Davis, R. E. (2022). The impact of cold weather on respiratory morbidity at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 813. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152612

Doede, A. L., Davis, R., & DeGuzman, P. B. (2021). Use of trajectory models to track air pollution from source to exposure: A methodological approach for identifying communities at risk. PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, 38(2), 212-222. doi:10.1111/phn.12859

2020

Davis, R. E., Markle, E. S., Windoloski, S., Houck, M. E., Enfield, K. B., Kang, H., . . . Novicoff, W. M. (2020). A comparison of the effect of weather and climate on emergency department visitation in Roanoke and Charlottesville, Virginia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 191. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.110065

Davis, R. E., Houck, M., Markle, E., Windoloski, S., Enfield, K. B., Kang, H., . . . Novicoff, W. M. (2020). The Impact of Heat Waves on Emergency Department Visits in Roanoke, Virginia. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, 27(7), 614-617. doi:10.1111/acem.13919

2019

Davis, R. E., Hondula, D. M., & Sharif, H. (2020). Examining the diurnal temperature range enigma: why is human health related to the daily change in temperature?. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY, 64(3), 397-407. doi:10.1007/s00484-019-01825-8

Davis, R. E., Dimon, R. A., Jones, G. V., & Bois, B. (2019). The effect of climate on Burgundy vintage quality rankings. OENO ONE, 53(1), 60-74. doi:10.20870/oeno-one.2019.53.1.2359

2018

Davis, R. E., & Novicoff, W. M. (2018). The Impact of Heat Waves on Emergency Department Admissions in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 15(7). doi:10.3390/ijerph15071436

Hondula, D. M., Davis, R. E., & Georgescu, M. (2018). Clarifying the Connections Between Green Space, Urban Climate, and Heat-Related Mortality. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 108, S62-S63. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304295

Davis, R. E., & Hondula, D. M. (2018). Are Non-US Citizens More Likely to Die From Heat Exposure?. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 108, S60-S61. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304191

Davis, R. E., & Enfield, K. B. (2018). Respiratory hospital admissions and weather changes: a retrospective study in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY, 62(6), 1015-1025. doi:10.1007/s00484-018-1503-9

2016

Davis, R. E., Dougherty, E., McArthur, C., Huang, Q. S., & Baker, M. G. (2016). Cold, dry air is associated with influenza and pneumonia mortality in Auckland, New Zealand. INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, 10(4), 310-313. doi:10.1111/irv.12369

2015

Davis, R. E., Hondula, D. M., & Patel, A. P. (2016). Temperature Observation Time and Type Influence Estimates of Heat-Related Mortality in Seven US Cities. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES, 124(6), 795-804. doi:10.1289/ehp.1509946

Davis, R. E., McGregor, G. R., & Enfield, K. B. (2016). Humidity: A review and primer on atmospheric moisture and human health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 144, 106-116. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.10.014

Allstadt, A. J., Liebhold, A. M., Johnson, D. M., Davis, R. E., & Haynes, K. J. (2015). Temporal variation in the synchrony of weather and its consequences for spatiotemporal population dynamics. ECOLOGY, 96(11), 2935-2946. doi:10.1890/14-1497.1

Hondula, D. M., Davis, R. E., Saha, M. V., Wegner, C. R., & Veazey, L. M. (2015). Geographic dimensions of heat-related mortality in seven US cities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 138, 439-452. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.033

2014

Saha, M. V., Davis, R. E., & Hondula, D. M. (2014). Saha et al. Respond to "Mortality Displacement After Heat Waves". AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, 179(12), 1407-1408. doi:10.1093/aje/kwu080

Hondula, D. M., & Davis, R. E. (2014). The predictability of high-risk zones for heat-related mortality in seven US cities. NATURAL HAZARDS, 74(2), 771-788. doi:10.1007/s11069-014-1213-5

Garstang, M., Davis, R. E., Leggett, K., Frauenfeld, O. W., Greco, S., Zipser, E., & Peterson, M. (2014). Response of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) to Seasonal Changes in Rainfall. PLOS ONE, 9(10). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0108736

2013

Saha, M. V., Davis, R. E., & Hondula, D. M. (2014). Mortality Displacement as a Function of Heat Event Strength in 7 US Cities. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, 179(4), 467-474. doi:10.1093/aje/kwt264

Hondula, D. M., Davis, R. E., Rocklov, J., & Saha, M. V. (2013). A time series approach for evaluating intra-city heat-related mortality. JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, 67(8), 707-712. doi:10.1136/jech-2012-202157

2012

Hondula, D. M., Davis, R. E., Leisten, M. J., Saha, M. V., Veazey, L. M., & Wegner, C. R. (2012). Fine-scale spatial variability of heat-related mortality in Philadelphia County, USA, from 1983-2008: a case-series analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, 11. doi:10.1186/1476-069X-11-16

Hondula, D. M., Davis, R. E., Knight, D. B., Sitka, L. J., Enfield, K., Gawtry, S. B., . . . Lee, T. R. (2013). A respiratory alert model for the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, USA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY, 57(1), 91-105. doi:10.1007/s00484-012-0537-7

Davis, R. E., Rossier, C. E., & Enfield, K. B. (2012). The Impact of Weather on Influenza and Pneumonia Mortality in New York City, 1975-2002: A Retrospective Study. PLOS ONE, 7(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034091

2011

Angelini, I. M., Garstang, M., Davis, R. E., Hayden, B., Fitzjarrald, D. R., Legates, D. R., . . . Connors, V. (2011). On the coupling between vegetation and the atmosphere. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY, 105(1-2), 243-261. doi:10.1007/s00704-010-0377-5

Hondula, D. M., & Davis, R. E. (2011). Decline in wintertime air-mass transition frequencies in the USA. CLIMATE RESEARCH, 46(2), 121-136. doi:10.3354/cr00971

2010

Hondula, D. M., & Davis, R. E. (2011). Climatology of winter transition days for the contiguous USA, 1951-2007. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY, 103(1-2), 27-37. doi:10.1007/s00704-010-0278-7

Davis, R. E., Normile, C. P., Sitka, L., Hondula, D. M., Knight, D. B., Gawtry, S. P., & Stenger, P. J. (2010). A comparison of trajectory and air mass approaches to examine ozone variability. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT, 44(1), 64-74. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.09.038