Professor van de Wiel’s research has focused on the physics and dynamics of the stable and very stable nocturnal boundary layer, with particular emphasis on regime transitions, inertial oscillations, low-level jets, fog formation, and two-way coupling between the atmosphere and heterogeneous surfaces, including vegetation canopies and Antarctic ice sheets. By combining direct numerical simulation, large-eddy simulation, and advanced observational techniques, including distributed temperature sensing with millimetre-scale spatial resolution, he has developed conceptual and quantitative frameworks for understanding abrupt transitions between weakly and very stable near-surface states and the formation of nocturnal low-level jets driven by inertial oscillations. His research has also demonstrated how fundamental boundary-layer physics can inform practical environmental applications, including the use of wind machines to mitigate frost damage in horticulture. His selected works address regime transitions in near-surface temperature inversions, adaptive-grid approaches for atmospheric boundary-layer simulations, shear capacity as a prognostic indicator of nocturnal boundary-layer regimes, inertial oscillations and nocturnal low-level jets, and stable boundary-layer regimes at Dome C in Antarctica. Collectively, these contributions reflect a sustained research programme connecting fundamental atmospheric fluid mechanics with numerical weather prediction, climate-system modelling, and the assessment of environmental risks associated with stable atmospheric conditions.