Research and Careers in Atmospheric Sciences UW Atmospheric Sciences Outreach.
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Transcript of Research and Careers in Atmospheric Sciences UW Atmospheric Sciences Outreach.
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
04/26/10
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!