Author: Maria G Moon

Synoptic and Mesoscale Meteorology

RESEARCH TOPICS:
Extratropical Cyclones, fronts and jet streams
Thunderstorms
Weather analysis and forecasting
Synoptic climatology and weather regimes
Hurricanes
Tropical waves and monsoons
Predictability and data assimilation

The department has recently benefited from the creation of an electronic map room. This is used for teaching and research purposes. It is also central to the popular map room discussion sessions every Friday afternoon.

Visible satellite image of Hurricane Katrina

Investigation of the nature of mesoscale and synoptic scale weather systems is based on analysis of observations and running state-of-the-art regional models (Bosart, Keyser, Thorncroft).

Radar image of Hurricane Ike

Ongoing research includes investigation of various phases of hurricane life-cycles including genesis, intensification, electrification, and mesoscale structures (Bosart, Molinari, Roundy, Thorncroft).

Students often have opportunities to be involved with field campaigns. This picture is taken on board a British research aircraft during a field campaign in West Africa.

Hurricane Katrina track forecast initialized from a model at 0000 UTC 25 August 2005. Ongoing research is concerned with the predictability of hurricanes (Torn).

FACULTY
Lance F. Bosart, PhD, MIT, 1969. Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology Daniel Keyser, PhD, Penn State, 1981. Synoptic-dynamic meteorology John E. Molinari, PhD, Florida State, 1979. Hurricanes and tropical meteorology, lightning in tropical disturbances Paul E. Roundy, PhD, Penn State University, 2003. Tropical atmosphere & ocean; impacts on global weather and climate Chris Thorncroft, Department Chair, PhD, Univ. of Reading, UK, 1989, Tropical Meteorology, tropical waves and the West African monsoon Ryan Torn, PhD, University of Washington, 2007. Predictability, data assimilation, synoptic and mesoscale meteorology

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

RESEARCH TOPICS:
Experimental and theoretical studies in chemical kinetics and atmospheric chemical mechanisms
Spectroscopic instrumentation development and applications
Experimental determination of photochemical parameters
Field measurement of particulate matter and trace gas species
Exploration of regional and global chemical cycles
Modeling of atmospheric transport, transformation and deposition of chemical constituents
Modeling of atmospheric chemistry-climate interactions
Physics of aerosols and aerosol instrumentation; boundary-layer transfer processes
Atmospheric radiation; remote sensing; cloud and fog microphysics
Formation of precipitation

The research vessel R/V Knorr was used to make direct air/sea gas exchange measurements of carbon dioxide and dimethylsulfide during 3 cruises in spring and summer 2007 in the North Atlantic. The data are being used to study processes controlling gas exchange between the ocean and atmosphere. (Miller)

Pinnacle State Park Observatory

Whiteface Mountain Observatory

Roof of the Recreational Van at Pinnacle State Park

ASRC Research Facilities
Whiteface Mountain, Pinnacle State Park and Queens College Field Stations
Aerosol Generation, Calibration and Slow Flow Reactor
Mobile Measurement Van
Computation Facilities

Aerosol Laboratory

FACULTY Kenneth L. Demerjian, PhD, Ohio State, 1973. Atmospheric chemistry David R. Fitzjarrald, PhD, Ohio State, 1973. Atmospheric chemistry, air pollution Lee Harrison, PhD, Washington-Seattle, 1982. Aerosol physics, atmospheric radiation Vincent P. Idone, PhD, Univ. at Albany, 1982. Atmospheric electricity Robert G. Keesee, PhD, Colorado, 1979. Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols G. Garland Lala, PhD, Univ. at Albany, 1972. Cloud and precipitation physics Scott D. Miller, PhD, UC-Irvine, 1998. Micrometeorology, air-sea interaction James J. Schwab, PhD, Harvard, 1983. Atmospheric chemistry, field measurement of gases and particles Christopher J. Walcek, PhD, UCLA, 1983. Cloud physics, cloud chemistry Wei-Chyung Wang, D.E.S., Columbia, 1973. Atmospheric radiation and climate modeling Fangqun Yu, PhD, UCLA, 1998. Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry; Aerosol Microphysics

Climate and Environmental Systems

RESEARCH TOPICS:
Intraseasonal variability
El Niño Southern Oscillation
Biogeochemical cycles
Climate modeling and diagnostics
Climate data analysis
Climate-chemistry interactions
Earth system history
Paleoclimatology
Paleoceanography
Remote sensing of the atmosphere
Cloud-climate interactions
Effects of aerosols on climate
Solar radiation measurement
Applied solar energy
Natural lighting systems
Applications of solar meteorology to photovoltaic electricity generation

Dr. Linsley and his students sample and geochemically analyze massive corals to reconstruct climate in the Pacific at near-monthly resolution over the last 400 years. To date, this research is focused on decadal-scale and interannual variability in sea surface salinity and temperature in the southwest Pacific. A large Porites lutea colony in Fiji is being cored and the core holes plugged when finished.

Composite 200 hPa heights and winds associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation

Precipitation in subtropical Chile has been declining over the last 130 years, which is of concern given the low precipitation, high economic activity and large population. Interannual variability of precipitation is primarily controlled by ENSO, but this study shows that the negative trend is not related to tropical Pacific forcing and that recent El Niño activity actually helped to alleviate the drought. Instead changes in high-latitude SST and sea-ice concentration may be the main driver for the observed secular drying trend (Vuille & Milana, 2007, Geophys. Res. Lett. 34, L23703).

Figure shows key features of the West African Monsoon system. Ongoing research aims to shed new light on how the land, atmosphere and ocean interact and to ultimately understand how these interactions influence the variability of the monsoon at interannual and longer timescales. The impact of West African Monsoon variability on hurricane variability is also investigated (Thorncroft).

FACULTY John W. Delano, PhD, SUNY Stony Brook, 1977. Igneous and sedimentary geochemistry
William S. F. Kidd, PhD, Cambridge, 1974. Tectonics and structural geology
Braddock K. Linsley, PhD, New Mexico, 1990. Environmental geochemistry and climate change
Scott D. Miller, PhD, UC-Irvine, 1998. Micrometeorology, air-sea interaction
Qilong Min, PhD, Alaska-Fairbanks, 1993, Radiative transfer, remote sensing
Richard R. Perez, PhD, Univ. at Albany, 1983. Solar energy applications
Paul E. Roundy, PhD, Penn State University, 2003. Tropical atmosphere & ocean; impacts on global weather and climate
Chris Thorncroft, Department Chair, PhD, Univ. of Reading, UK, 1989, Variability of the West African monsoon Mathias Vuille, PhD, University of Bern, 1995. Tropical climate change, tropical glacier-climate interactions.
Wei-Chyung Wang, D.E.S., Columbia, 1973. Atmospheric radiation and climate modeling

The University at Albany is an internationally recognized public research institution located in the state capital of New York. Established in 1844 and designated a university in 1962, UAlbany puts the world within reach for nearly 18,000 students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Faculty supporting the graduate program in Atmospheric Sciences in the University at Albany are scientists from the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (DAES) and the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC). The ASRC and the local office of the National Weather Service (NWS) are both located in the same building, which is within easy walking distance of the DEAS. This combination of scientists from two distinct but related institutions gives the University at Albany the largest program of education and research in the atmospheric sciences in New York State and one of the largest in the US.
The current group of scientists cover a broad range of research interests in the atmospheric and environmental sciences that is organized under three broad headings: Synoptic and Mesoscale Meteorology, Climate and Environmental Systems, and Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Students may combine these areas or propose interdisciplinary research with other departments, such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience, Geography, Environmental Health Sciences, and Public Affairs. The Department of Environmental Health Sciences located at the Wadsworth Center, in particular, has several faculty members with research interests in atmospheric and environmental chemistry.
Faculty are funded externally by a variety of agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Air Force Office for Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The DAES has been particularly successful at mobilizing funds to support collaborations with the National Weather Service through the CSTAR program.

The current group of scientists covers a broad range of interests in the atmospheric and environmental sciences. Students may combine these areas or propose interdisciplinary research with other departments, such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience, Geography, Environmental Health Sciences, and Public Affairs. The Department of Environmental Health Sciences located at the Wadsworth Center, in particular, has several faculty members with research interests in atmospheric and environmental chemistry. Opportunities exist for internships and cooperative research with the Albany National Weather Service office which is located on the University campus. Some of this cooperative research is through the CSTAR program. The program also has a close relationship with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, formalized through cross-registration policies for graduate students, cross-faculty collaborations on doctoral examinations, cooperative uses of equipment, and a joint research seminar series. The NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training (at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University at Albany) to study the origin of life (New York Center for the Study of the Origin of Life) provides research opportunities, including research assistantships. Other local resources include the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the US Geological Survey Water Resources Division.
Members of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences are funded externally by agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Office for Naval Research (ONR), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Air Force Office for Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC)

University at Albany Academic Podium near the Earth Science Building

Map of UAlbany and ASRC

Strategic Location: The University at Albany enjoys a strategic location in the City of Albany. The capital of the State of New York offers something for everyone, the center of a region remarkable for its natural and cultural resources.
The Capital Region includes the cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy, and has a population of approximately 875,000. Within a short distance are the Berkshires, the Catskills and the Adirondacks, the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River.
Recreation: Major ski areas such as Killington, Gore, Hunter, Bromley, Stratton and Mt. Snow are within easy commuting distance. Saratoga Springs, 25 miles to the north, is internationally known as a sports, concert, and cultural center, and features outstanding thoroughbred and harness racing at Saratoga Race Track.
Within Reach: Geographically, the city of Albany is only:
150 miles from New York City
175 miles from Boston
225 miles from Montreal, Canada.
The New York State Thruway and two major interstate highways intersect one mile from the main campus. Bus, rail, and air terminals are all within ten minutes of UAlbany’s campus.

Graduate Assistantships: Fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships are available per calendar year. Tuition scholarships for up to 18 credits per year are offered to all students receiving financial support.
Graduate Applications: Apply to the program through the University Graduate Admissions office. 518-442-3980 / www.albany.edu/graduate/ Choose to request an application packet be mailed to you, download the materials electronically, or apply online.
For more information: Please visit our web pages (www.atmos.albany.edu) or contact Dr. Robert Keesee, Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Program Director: rgk@atmos.albany.edu