Atmospheric Sciences: From Weather Forecasting to Climate Change

Atmospheric Sciences is a wide-ranging discipline that includes topics as diverse as weather forecasting, global warming, air quality, Pacific Northwest weather and climate, mountain weather, marine weather, El Niño, the ozone hole, ice ages, and the weather of Mars. It considers problems that are both scientifically challenging and critical for the welfare of modern society. These problems are addressed with theory, measurements, and computer simulations.

Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington: A Record of Excellence

Founded in 1947, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington has grown into one of the leading departments in the world, respected for its excellence in both teaching and research. A hallmark of the department is its breadth, with a large graduate program supporting leadng-edge research in a wide range of research areas. Our faculty are known for their leadership in many aspects of the field and have authored more than a dozen textbooks that are widely used around the world. Four are members of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. The Department maintains the only comprehensive undergraduate program in atmospheric sciences in the northwestern US, one that prepares our students for a wide range of careers. The department's impact is magnified by its postgraduate alumni, who staff teaching, research and operational institutions throughout the world.

Opportunities for the Future

The promise and importance of the atmospheric sciences, both to answer critical scientific questions and to address central societal issues such as global warming, forecasting of severe weather and protecting air quality, have never been as great. But to be ready for these challenges the department must find substantial additional resources beyond those available from the State and granting agencies. In fact, support of the University of Washington by the State of Washington has lessened over time, making other sources of funding critical to the department's future. After careful consideration, our faculty have developed a list of initiatives that, if funded, would enable us to continue and expand our mission of excellence in teaching and research.