Cloud Microphysics, Severe Storms and Mesoscale Meteorology

Research focuses on the dynamic, microphysical and electrical characteristics of atmospheric phenomena that are mesoscale in size and duration. Such phenomena include thunderstorms; supercells; squall lines; mesoscale convective systems; cirrus, stratus and cumulus clouds; hurricanes and their substructures; mountain/valley circulations; atmospheric jets; sea/land breezes; and orographic flow. Research is conducted on convection, mesoscale instabilities, gravity currents and waves, precipitation physics, cloud ice and liquid water processes, atmospheric electricity, aerosol indirect effects, vortices, tornadogenesis, storm interactions, orographic influences, boundary layer processes, frontal processes, effects of surface heterogeneities, coastal boundaries, and urban effects on weather.

In addition to theoretical studies and mathematical analyses of datasets, we apply the following tools and approaches in our research:

Faculty

• Michael Bell
• Sonia Kreidenweis
• Jeff Pierce
• Kristen Rasmussen
• Steven Rutledge
• Russ Schumacher
• Sue van den Heever

Sample Coursework During First Two Years of Graduate Program

Fall, Year 1

ATS 601: Atmospheric Dynamics I
ATS 620: Thermodynamics and Cloud Physics
ATS 621: Atmospheric Chemistry
ATS 640: Synoptic Meteorology

Spring, Year 1

ATS 602: Atmospheric Dynamics II
ATS 606: Introduction to Climate
ATS 622: Atmospheric Radiation
ATS 641: Mesoscale Meteorology

Fall, Year 2

ATS 652: Atmospheric Remote Sensing

Spring, Year 2

ATS 655: Objective Analysis

Other classes of interest

ATS 604 Atmospheric Modeling
ATS 607: Computational Methods for Atmospheric Science
ATS 623 Atmospheric Boundary Layer
ATS 703 Numerical Weather Prediction
ATS 710 Geophysical Vortices
ATS 712 Dynamics of Clouds
ATS 724 Cloud Microphysics
ATS 730 Mesoscale Numerical Modeling
ATS 735: Mesoscale Dynamics
ATS 741: Radar Meteorology