Julie Winkler is a professor of Geography at Michigan State University. She is interested in many aspects of geography and climatology including synoptic and applied climatology, regional climate change, and climate scenario development and evaluation. Current and past research topics include heavy precipitation, nocturnal thunderstorms, low-level wind maxima, airflow within midlatitude cyclones, wildland fire risk, and the possible impacts of potential future climate change particularly on agriculture. Much of Professor Winkler's research has focused on the Central Plains and Great Lakes region of the United States.