Research and Careers in Atmospheric Sciences UW Atmospheric Sciences Outreach

Weather vs. Climate Weather Time scales up to 10 – 14 days Time scales up to 10 – 14 daysClimate Time scales of 2 weeks – hundreds of years Time scales of 2 weeks – hundreds of years Think of climate as “ average weather ” over long periods of time Think of climate as “ average weather ” over long periods of time

The Greenhouse Effect Trace gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, etc) absorb infrared radiation and re- emit it toward the surface. Trace gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, etc) absorb infrared 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 gases increases the temperature at the Earth’s surface. Increasing the amount of these greenhouse gases increases the temperature at the Earth’s surface.

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Careers in Atmospheric Sciences

04/26/10 Software development Analysis Research Field Work / Obs Forecasting Policy Teaching Public Relations Consulting Broadcasting Government AcademiaIndustry

Careers in Research 7 Can conduct research at Can conduct research at Universities Universities Government Agencies Government Agencies Private Companies Private Companies There are many topics in atmospheric science that people research and apply including…

Research topic: Climate Climatology Climatology Variability and patterns of climate Variability and patterns of climate Climate modeling Climate modeling Paleoclimate Paleoclimate Climate change (e.g. feedbacks and sensitivity) ‏ Climate change (e.g. feedbacks and sensitivity) ‏ Global warming Global warming Impacts (how different regions will be affected) ‏ Impacts (how different regions will be affected) ‏ Geoengineering Geoengineering

Research topic: Planetary Atmospheres Study of atmospheres on other planets Study of atmospheres on other planets

Research topics: Dynamics Physics (equations of motion) ‏ Physics (equations of motion) ‏ Global circulation Global circulation Mid-latitude cyclones Mid-latitude cyclones Monsoons Monsoons Planetary boundary layer (PBL) ‏ Planetary boundary layer (PBL) ‏ Air-Sea interations Air-Sea interations

Research topic: Atmospheric Chemistry Air quality (air pollution) ‏ Air quality (air pollution) ‏ Aerosols Aerosols Anthropogenic emissions Anthropogenic emissions Ozone Ozone Paleoclimate proxies Paleoclimate proxies Instrumentation Instrumentation

Research topic: Atmospheric Radiation Energy balance of the atmosphere Energy balance of the atmosphere Remote sensing (satellites) ‏ Remote sensing (satellites) ‏ Planetary boundary layer (PBL) ‏ Planetary boundary layer (PBL) ‏ Absorption / scattering / reflection / emission Absorption / scattering / reflection / emission

Research topic: Clouds Cloud dynamics Cloud dynamics Storms Storms Precipitation processes Precipitation processes Aerosol interactions Aerosol interactions

Research topic: Mesoscale Meteorology Hurricanes/ Tropical storms / depressions Hurricanes/ Tropical storms / depressions Convection Convection Tornadoes/Supercells / Thunderstorms/Lightning Tornadoes/Supercells / Thunderstorms/Lightning Mesoscale Convective Systems Mesoscale Convective Systems Influence of topography on weather Influence of topography on weather Land and sea breeze circulations Land and sea breeze circulations Small-scale weather Small-scale weather Precipitation bands Precipitation bands

Careers in Government: Examples of Government Agencies National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ‏ National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ‏ National Weather Service (NWS) ‏ National Weather Service (NWS) ‏ Climate Prediction Center (CPC) ‏ Climate Prediction Center (CPC) ‏ National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) ‏ National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) ‏ Military Military National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ‏ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ‏ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ‏ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ‏

What does the government do? Air quality Air quality Aviation weather Aviation weather Fire weather Fire weather Marine weather Marine weather Severe weather Severe weather Weather forecasting Weather forecasting Hydrology Hydrology Climate monitoring and prediction Climate monitoring and prediction Satellite design /operation Satellite design /operation Data collection Data collection Natural resource management Natural resource management Emergency Management Emergency Management Space weather Space weather Research Research

Weather Forecasting 17 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 23 Many different companies require the services of an atmospheric scientist. Work ranges from technical to policy consulting

Science Policy 24 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 25 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 Plug UW non-major course offerings in atmospheric sciences 101: Introduction to weather 101: Introduction to weather 111: Global warming 111: Global warming 211: Climate and climate change 211: Climate and climate change 212: Air pollution 212: Air pollution

Questions? Thank You!