Research and Research and Careers in Careers in

Atmospheric Atmospheric SciencesSciences

UW Atmospheric Sciences UW Atmospheric Sciences OutreachOutreach

Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate

WeatherWeather

Time scales up to 10 – 14 daysTime scales up to 10 – 14 days

ClimateClimate

Time scales of 2 weeks – hundreds of yearsTime scales of 2 weeks – hundreds of years

Think of climate as Think of climate as ““average weatheraverage weather”” over long over long periods of timeperiods of time

The Greenhouse Effect

Trace gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, Trace gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, etc) absorb infrared carbon dioxide, ozone, etc) absorb infrared radiation and re-emit it toward the surface.radiation and re-emit it toward the surface.

As a results, the surface warms.As a results, the surface warms.

Increasing the amount of these greenhouse Increasing the amount of these greenhouse gases increases the temperature at the gases increases the temperature at the Earth’s surface.Earth’s surface.

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Careers in Atmospheric Careers in Atmospheric SciencesSciences

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Software development

AnalysisResearch

Field Work / ObsForecasting

Policy

Teaching

Public Relations

ConsultingBroadcastin

g

Government

Academia Industry

Careers in Research

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Can conduct research at Can conduct research at UniversitiesUniversities Government AgenciesGovernment Agencies Private CompaniesPrivate Companies

There are many topics in atmospheric There are many topics in atmospheric science that people research and apply science that people research and apply including… including…

Research topic: ClimateResearch topic: Climate ClimatologyClimatology

Variability and patterns Variability and patterns of climateof climate

Climate modelingClimate modeling

PaleoclimatePaleoclimate

Climate change (e.g. Climate change (e.g. feedbacks and feedbacks and sensitivity)sensitivity)

Global warmingGlobal warming

Impacts (how different Impacts (how different regions will be affected)regions will be affected)

GeoengineeringGeoengineering

Research topic: Planetary Research topic: Planetary AtmospheresAtmospheres

Study of atmospheres Study of atmospheres on other planetson other planets

Research topics: DynamicsResearch topics: Dynamics

Physics (equations of motion)Physics (equations of motion)

Global circulationGlobal circulation

Mid-latitude cyclonesMid-latitude cyclones

MonsoonsMonsoons

Planetary boundary layer (PBL)Planetary boundary layer (PBL)

Air-Sea interationsAir-Sea interations

Research topic: Atmospheric Research topic: Atmospheric ChemistryChemistry

Air quality (air pollution)Air quality (air pollution)

AerosolsAerosols

Anthropogenic Anthropogenic emissionsemissions

OzoneOzone

Paleoclimate proxiesPaleoclimate proxies

InstrumentationInstrumentation

Research topic: Atmospheric Research topic: Atmospheric RadiationRadiation

Energy balance of Energy balance of the atmospherethe atmosphere

Remote sensing Remote sensing (satellites)(satellites)

Planetary Planetary boundary layer boundary layer (PBL)(PBL)

Absorption / Absorption / scattering / scattering / reflection / reflection / emissionemission

Research topic: CloudsResearch topic: Clouds

Cloud dynamicsCloud dynamics

StormsStorms

Precipitation processesPrecipitation processes

Aerosol interactionsAerosol interactions

Research topic: Research topic: Mesoscale MeteorologyMesoscale Meteorology

Hurricanes/ Tropical Hurricanes/ Tropical storms / depressionsstorms / depressions

ConvectionConvection

Tornadoes/Supercells / Tornadoes/Supercells / Thunderstorms/LightningThunderstorms/Lightning

Mesoscale Convective Mesoscale Convective SystemsSystems

Influence of topography on Influence of topography on weatherweather

Land and sea breeze Land and sea breeze circulationscirculations

Small-scale weatherSmall-scale weather

Precipitation bandsPrecipitation bands

Careers in Government:Careers in Government:Examples of Government AgenciesExamples of Government Agencies

National Oceanographic and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)(NOAA)

National Weather Service (NWS)National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center (CPC)Climate Prediction Center (CPC)

National Center for Atmospheric National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)Research (NCAR)

MilitaryMilitary

National Aeronautic and Space National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA)Administration (NASA)

Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)(FAA)

Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(EPA)

What does the What does the government do?government do?

Air qualityAir quality

Aviation weatherAviation weather

Fire weatherFire weather

Marine weatherMarine weather

Severe weatherSevere weather

Weather forecastingWeather forecasting

HydrologyHydrology

Climate monitoring Climate monitoring and predictionand prediction

Satellite design Satellite design /operation/operation

Data collectionData collection

Natural resource Natural resource managementmanagement

Emergency Emergency ManagementManagement

Space weatherSpace weather

ResearchResearch

Weather Forecasting

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Forecasters use weather models generated by the government and other sources to predict the weather

Many different people have careers in forecasting TV, radio, and newspaper weathermen National Weather Service Private companies (Accuweather, Intellicast, etc)

Broadcast Meteorology

The “weather person” you see on TV news Local TV and radio stations, national networks (ie:

ABC, NBC) Local TV weather often write the weather forecast

for newspapers as well Cable channels like The Weather Channel Skills in communication, public speaking and on-

air presence are key!

Broadcast Meteorology

Private Forecasting

Many industries depend on accurate, targeted and specific weather forecasting for their economic success

Airlines and other transportation Shipping companies Agriculture Outdoor recreation (ski resorts, etc) Operations in extreme environments such as Antarctica Any business that must comply with environmental

protection laws dealing with air or water pollution (ex: construction, manufacturing, energy) - many have their own meteorologist or hire one from a private consulting firm on a project-by-project basis

Wind Energy

Wind energy is an important emerging sector of atmospheric sciences as more emphasis is put on alternative energy

Meteorologists help select a site that is best for a wind farm – somewhere with steady, strong winds

Once the wind farm is built, meteorologists must provide accurate, real-time forecasts of wind speed and direction so that transfer to the power grid goes smoothly.

Wind Energy

Consulting

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Many different companies require the services of an atmospheric scientist.

Work ranges from technical to policy consulting

Science Policy

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Governments need scientists to interpret scientific results and apply it to laws and policies.

Many different political topics require the expertise of atmospheric scientists: Global warming Pollution Environmental protection Ocean acidification

All levels of government (federal, state, local) have opportunities for those who want to bridge the policy and science divide.

NGOs (non-governmental organizations) also help shape policy and require the expertise of scientists.

Science Journalism and Writing

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Communication of science to the public is important

Science writers interpret and report scientific results for the public

Science Communicators who have brought atmospheric science to the public: Carl Sagan (Astronomer) Al Gore (Politician) James Balog (Photographer) Andrew Revkin (Journalist)

How to Prepare In high school:

Strengthen your math, science, computer and writing skills

If your school offers an environmental science or weather class, consider taking it

In college: Atmos. Sci. is broad, so a range of skills can make you

successful – math, science, computer programming, communications, physics, oceanography, geography, political science – you get the idea!

There are many paid and unpaid internship opportunities available – NOAA, NWS, NCAR, Nat'l Labs, TV stations, local agencies (air quality, etc), private companies, DoE

General Tips

Take EVERY advantage of opportunities to meet people you are interested in working for

Internships help you get experience, and help you decide if the field is right for you

It is your definition of success that matters, because it is your happiness

Shameless PlugShameless Plug

UW non-major course offerings in atmospheric UW non-major course offerings in atmospheric sciencessciences

101: Introduction to weather101: Introduction to weather

111: Global warming111: Global warming

211: Climate and climate change211: Climate and climate change

212: Air pollution212: Air pollution

Questions?Questions?

Thank You!Thank You!