Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science

The decline of polar bear population is heavily impacted by climate change, making it the first species to be listed under the Endangered Species Act in 2008. Professor Cecilia Bitz and colleagues’ recent analysis showed the correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and changes in polar bear demographic. 

Rachel Tillman, daughter of Emeritus Professor James E. Tillman, started the Viking Mars Missions Education and Preservation Project to preserve the artifacts, original documents, and data from the Viking Missions. Professor Tillman worked on Viking 1 and 2 and was a professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, he ran the Viking Computing Facility at UW until the lander sent its last signal in November 1982. 

Outside of work, Professor Dale Durran explores the intricacy of metalwork and his passion for the natural world to create pieces that embraces both science and art. His work is featured on the College of the Environment’s website and YouTube channel. 

Calvin Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Alex Turner’s research on improving understanding of the fate of atmospheric methane and its influence on climate receives a major financial gift from Virtual Earth System Research Institute (VESRI), an initiative of Schmidt Futures. 

Professor Dale Durran is quoted in The Washington Post’s article titled “Should we trust AI to predict natural disasters?” The article discussed the usage AI models in forecasting extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes. 

Please join us for this year’s Fleagle Endowed Visiting Lecture on Thursday May 25, 2023, at 7:00 pm. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Myles Allen of the University of Oxford. 

Please join us for this year’s Graduate Student Distinguished Visiting Lecture on Wednesday May 10, 2023, at 7:00 pm. We are pleased to welcome Professor Adam Sobel of Columbia University.
Register Here
 
Lecture: “Climate Risk Science: An Applied Field in Need of Synthesis and Theory”
Professor Adam Sobel, Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Engineering School
When: Wednesday May 10, 2023, 7:00-8:30 p.m. 

Shuyi Chen was recently quoted in an LA Times article about the recent extreme weather events in California, and the rise of “noise” as amateur weather forecasters on social media increasingly enter the weather prediction arena. 

Thursday, April 6, is Husky Giving Day, the University Washington’s annual one-day giving campaign. Become a “Friend of Atmospheric Sciences” by helping to support our faculty, students, and staff to engage in world-leading research and education about severe weather, air pollution, and climate change. 

KUOW’s Soundside podcast has recently featured the research of our own Ursula Jongebloed and Prof. Becky Alexander! More can be read about their work at UW News, and you can listen to the full Soundside podcast here.