NIU Meteorology

Student Participates in "Research Experiences for Undergraduates"

2012-01-28T19:03:00.005-06:00

For ten weeks between May and July 2011, NIU senior meteorology student Danny Brouillette participated in the National Weather Center (NWC) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Located on the University of Oklahoma (OU) main campus in Norman, Oklahoma, the NWC is a research and operations facility that houses the OU School of Meteorology and its research groups and enterprises, the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, and several National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) agencies, including the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), Norman National Weather Service Forecast Office (OUN NWSFO), Warning Decision Training Branch (WDTB), Radar Operations Center (ROC), and National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). The REU program solicits approximately ten students from universities across the United States in a very competitive selection process in which approximately ten percent of applicants are selected in a given year. It pairs student participants with one-on-one research mentors affiliated with a program(s) at the NWC in order to give them a taste of the research working environment. As such, the experience gives participants an indication of whether graduate study in the atmospheric sciences is suited for them.

The REU is centered around participants completing individual research projects under the direction of their mentors. Mr. Brouillette worked under mentor Dr. Yang Hong, an OU associate professor affiliated with the Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing (HyDROS) research group, and one of his graduate students, Lu Liu, on a regional climate change project entitled “Quantifying Changes in Extreme Precipitation at Houston and Oklahoma City by 2041-2065 Using the Regional Climate Model (CRCM).” The results of this project helped to confirm that the most intense rainstorms may become more intense in the future even while a net decrease in precipitation is possible. It also helped to begin to quantify the magnitudes of these temporal changes. Mr. Brouillette is lead author of proceedings related to this project in the American Meteorological Society’s 24th Conference on Climate Change and Variability, which was held in New Orleans between 22 and 26 January 2012. He will present a poster there.

Danny delivers his final presentation at the NWC.

Besides the central research project, the REU features a variety of formal and informal activities that add value to the overall experience. Formal activities offered in the 2011 REU included instruction in research ethics, training in basic research applications of MATLAB and statistics, a session on technical writing and presentation, talks from a variety of guest lecturers at the top of their respective fields, and a four-day field trip to Boulder, Colorado, to visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and NOAA research facilities. Informal activities center around forging lasting social and professional connections with peers in the REU and other similar research programs at the NWC. Norman is situated in central Oklahoma, the heart of the traditional Tornado Alley, and the opportunity for storm chasing is often irresistible. Indeed, with a chase group led by Jim LaDue, Mr. Brouillette saw his first (and only—so far) two tornadoes, an EF-5 near El Reno and the dissipation of an EF-4 just north of Purcell, on 24 May. The region has more than just storms and extreme heat, however, and the NWC research interns enjoyed some of their free time by hiking in the Wichita Mountains in southwest Oklahoma and spending the Fourth-of-July weekend in Dallas.

Having had eight participants since 1999, the NIU Meteorology Program has had considerable success in being a source of participants to the NWC REU. In 2008, Becky Belobraydich, currently working on an M.S. in meteorology at OU, participated and did a project under OU researcher Dr. Matthew Biddle that examined how university students perceive, understand, and use severe-weather watches issued by the SPC. The 2007 REU had Victor Gensini, currently working on a Ph.D. in geography at the University of Georgia, participating under National Severe Storm Laboratory researcher Dr. Harold Brooks on a project that investigated thunderstorm parameters over a 42-year period. The other NIU participants were Heather Flachs (2004), Becca Mazur (2003), Kadi Carroll (2002), Jesse Sparks (2000), and Peggy Concannon (1999). Current NIU students who are interested in learning more about this and other REU programs and research and internship opportunities should contact Dr. Walker Ashley or Dr. Dave Changnon.

Kudos!

2011-03-23T13:03:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to NIU junior Mr. Daniel Brouillette for winning the 2010-11 National Weather Association's Arthur C. Pike Meteorology Scholarship. The scholarship is named after Mr. Pike, who was a charter member of the National Weather Association, a research meteorologist for the National Hurricane Center, and an educator. The scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement/merit. Again, congratulations Daniel!

NWS Student Career Experience Program

2010-10-26T16:28:00.004-05:00

For any meteorology student who is interested in operational meteorology, the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) through the National Weather Service (NWS) is an experience that should be considered. SCEP is a great opportunity for a student to work in a Weather Forecast Office (WFO) alongside operational NWS meteorologists, and learn the ins and outs of the weather service, and obtain permanent employment. As a SCEP, you are a temporary federal employee, working shifts and learning duties that are required of the weather service employees. Within each WFO, there are opportunities to shadow the forecasters, assess severe weather events, participate in community outreach, work alongside forecasters on separate projects, and also work on projects of your own, as well as work shifts.

After a competitive application process, if selected for a SCEP position, the student is assigned to a WFO that is close to the specific university of attendance. Scheduling is done per the specific office and the student’s schedule. Typically, a student will work full time at the office during semester breaks and either part time, or leave without pay, during the semester. This schedule will continue until the student graduates from his or her university, resigns from the program, or is let go. Before graduation, the student is required to work 640 hours at his or her WFO to be eligible for conversion.

Upon graduation, as long as the student is eligible, there is a greatly increased likelihood that the student will be converted to a permanent employee with the NWS. Although employment is not guaranteed, the great majority of SCEP students who graduate from their universities successfully do move on to an entry level position. The conversion is not competitive, unlike the SCEP application process, and is aided by the NWS’s SCEP coordinator and specific WFO. A significant portion of the NWS’s entry level positions are actually filled by SCEP graduates.
Since the application process is very competitive, many students will take positions as student volunteer at a WFO before applying in order to increase the chances of SCEP selection. This position is unpaid, but provides valuable experience and insight into the NWS and operational meteorology, and is highly recommended.

The application for SCEP is typically due in February, and questions about the process can be forwarded to: nws.scep-reply@noaa.gov. Additional details regarding NOAA opportunities, including the SCEP, may be found at the Chicago-Romeoville NWS WFO website. Finally, NIU students may want to discuss the SCEP experience with Ms. Rose Sengenberger, a current student who was awarded a SCEP during 2010-11. Congrats Rose!

Scholarship Season

2010-10-03T09:06:00.004-05:00

The Meteorology Program at NIU would like to bring to your attention several amazing scholarship opportunities. Please consider applying for these prestigious scholarships if you meet the criteria.

The American Meteorological Society administers a variety of scholarships. Details regarding the scholarships, as well as applications, may be found on the A MS's site.
The National Weather Association administers a few scholarships. Information is available on the NWA's scholarship application page.
Sophomores are encouraged to apply for the incredible NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship [$16,000 plus internship in NOAA facility].
NOAA also has a very nice scholarship under the Educational Partnership Program.
NASA has a variety of scholarships and internships available as well.
Though the application for 2011 is not available at this time, please consider applying for the National Weather Center's Research Experience for Undergraduates Program. See a prior student's experience here.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research annually awards phenomenal research-based internships through the Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) program.

Current NIU Meteorology students should routinely check the "Meteorology Today" board in the Davis 2nd Floor hallway for additional opportunities (e.g., scholarships, internships, jobs) and updates.

If you have any questions regarding the application process after you have read the necessary application materials, feel free to ask Drs. Ashley, Bentley, Changnon, or Song. We look forward to helping you acquire one (or more!) of these scholarships.

Dr. Changnon named as 2010 Board of Trustees Professor

2010-03-24T21:14:00.003-05:00

Congrats to NIU Meteorology's Dr. Changnon, who has been named as a 2010 Board of Trustees Professor. Established in 2007, the professorship recognizes faculty members who have achieved a consistent record of excellence in teaching, academic leadership, scholarship or artistry, and service and outreach. Special emphasis is placed on the recognition of those who have earned widespread acclaim for their scholarship or artistry and continue to engage students in their research and professional activities.

Any student interested in meteorology would covet an opportunity to intern with the weather guru of gurus, Tom Skilling.

Fortunately for NIU meteorology undergraduates, Professor David Changnon has an in. Over the past decade, he has supplied WGN-TV’s famous weatherman with more than 50 interns who have assisted Skilling with his broadcasts and Chicago Tribune weather page.

“It’s hard to put into words what it means to work with Tom Skilling,” says senior Robert Clavey II, who was encouraged by Changnon to apply for the internship. “I’m learning so much in my time at WGN that I cannot thank Dr. Changnon enough for the opportunities he offered me.”

When it comes to experts in weather and climate, Changnon has used his many contacts nationwide to make hands-on experience a hallmark of the NIU meteorology program, for which he serves as undergraduate adviser.

In the mid-1990s, Changnon won a grant to develop an applied climatology course that has resulted in students working alongside professionals, winning internships and landing jobs. During the course, students conduct research that helps businesses such as Allstate Insurance, Del Monte Foods and United Airlines make better-informed, weather-sensitive decisions.

And, yes, they help with daily weather forecasts, too, not only on WGN-TV but also at TV stations in Rockford and downstate Illinois.

“Professor Changnon is the leading advocate for including hands-on applied climatological work experience as part of an undergraduate degree program in atmospheric science,” says Julie Winkler, a professor of geography at Michigan State University. “He has developed perhaps the only truly applied climatology course offered at a U.S. academic institution.

“What a remarkable learning experience for these undergraduate students,” she adds.

Changnon himself is one of the nation’s leading scholars in applied climatology, focusing on the human and societal impacts of climate and climate change. He has researched trends in snowstorms, flooding, droughts, cyclone frequency and heat waves. He also has shown how businesses can benefit from long-term seasonal forecasts and documented the impact of climate change on agriculture, as well as the impact of changing agricultural practices on climate.

Amazingly, nearly 40 percent of his published articles, some of which have gained widespread media attention, were co-authored by students. They credit him with connecting textbooks to their life experiences and inspiring their meteorology careers.

“Without his guidance, patience and encouragement, I know I would not be where I am today in my own career,” says Tamara Houston, who as a student co-authored research with Changnon. She now works as a physical scientist for NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center.

Changnon also is known for service to his profession and to NIU. He has participated as a reviewer for the International Panel for Climate Change and served on the American Meteorology Society’s undergraduate degree-experience committee. Active in many faculty teams at NIU, he recently led a task force on curricular innovation, exploring ways to improve teaching.

“David Changnon represents the epitome of a fully engaged professor,” says Andrew Krmenec, chair of the Department of Geography, which oversees the meteorology program.

Adds colleague Lesley Rigg, “Every time I look in his office, he is with students. Every time I am amazed by the passion of a lecturer in a classroom, it is Dave’s voice I hear. And every time a professor is rallying the cause of student research and mentored learning in a faculty meeting, it is Dave. He is by far one of the most inspirational, demanding and creative teachers and researchers on campus.”

Text from Northern Today, 22 March 2010.

Undergrad Research Experiences: The Case of MET 431 (Applications in Climatology)

2010-01-15T14:07:00.004-06:00

NIU’s Meteorology Program strives to develop valuable student “preprofessional” experiences through student participation in a variety of activities, including: faculty research projects through National Science Foundation grants and the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program, forecasting for the campus student newspaper and television station, operating the DeKalb-area National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Station, serving the community as severe weather watchers, conducting weather awareness seminars in local schools, and through internship experiences with the NWS and various weather-sensitive organizations in northern Illinois.

One of the unique “preprofessional” experiences that Meteorology Program students can take advantage of during their tenure at NIU is the annual “Applications in Climatology” course taught by NIU Presidential Teaching Professor Dr. David Changnon. “Applications in Climatology” (MET 431) is a senior capstone course where students work in groups of two to four on applied climate research projects for regional decision makers. Real issues from both the private and public sectors are addressed by student/faculty teams to produce tangible results for the sponsoring organization. Dr. Changnon has published two articles that highlight the uniqueness of this course: "Design and Test of a "Hands-On" Applied Climate Course in an Undergraduate Meteorology Program" (Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Volume 79, pages 79-84) and "Improving Outreach in Atmospheric Sciences: Assessment of Users of Climate Products" (Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Volume 85, pages 601-606). In addition, a number of projects completed by MET 431 students have appeared in top international research journals over the last ten years. Undergraduate research experiences, like those enabled through courses like MET 431, are a hallmark of the NIU Meteorology Program. Skills learned during these experiences empower our students, helping them gain a “leg up” in the job market.

This past fall, 16 students (10 undergraduate meteorology majors and 6 geography graduate students) participated on five applied climate research projects. The teams worked with external decision makers from weather-sensitive sectors that included utilities, agri-business, transportation, risk management. On December 4, 2009, the five groups presented their research findings to a broad audience that included other NIU students, NIU MET faculty, climate scientists, and weather-sensitive decision makers. Below is a brief description of this year’s projects. If you have any questions regarding these projects feel free to contact David Changnon (MET student advisor and teacher for MET 431/531) at dchangnon@niu.edu or by phone at (815) 753-6835.

Company Sponsor: ABF Freight Systems, Inc.
Student Team: Daniel Bocklund, Jason Foster, and Charles Richie II
Title of Project: Winter precipitation event impacts on a line haul transportation service center.

Abstract: In response to a request from the regional branch manager of a line haul ground transportation center owned by ABF, Inc., an investigation into Midwestern regional winter weather synoptic conditions was initiated. This was done in order to effectively inform the client of synoptic conditions which have negative impacts on the ground transportation industry in hi area of responsibility, and also to develop a more timely decision making paradigm. Using surface climate data from first order meteorological reporting stations in the area of interest, as well as dates provided by the client on which cancellations occurred, several synoptic patterns were revealed. The storms most often causing these cancellations contained snow and freezing rain, two of the client’s main concerns.

Two synoptic patterns, those involving Colorado Lows and occasionally an Alberta Clipper, created hazardous winter weather conditions that impacted one or more line hauls. Trips to South Bend, IN, were more frequently impacted because lake-effect snowfall created further limitations on driving conditions in Northwest Indiana. This synoptic setup reveals the need for the ability to make rapid decisions based on the nature of the storms, and was used to develop a better understanding of conditions preceding the events for the client. This allowed the facilitation of the decision making tools needed by the client on a timelier basis, and helped address the client’s concerns and needs stated in his initial request.

Company Sponsor: Chesapeake Energy Corporation
Student Team: Ryan Oates, Nick Vercellotti, and Tom Walsh
Title of Project: Determining the temporal relationship of sudden stratospheric warming events to the occurrence of cold weather outbreaks in Chicago, Illinois.

Abstract: Predicting cold weather outbreaks around major metropolitan areas is of utmost importance to many different sectors of our economy. In an attempt to better understand when these outbreaks occur, the temporal relationship between near record cold weather in Chicago and sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events in the polar vortex was investigated. A time series analysis of SSW data and temperature records from Chicago O’Hare Airport dating back to 1979 was conducted to identify SSW events and determine if and when Chicago was impacted by mean daily temperature anomalies of a 5-day average of -10°F or greater. A relationship between SSW events and cold air outbreaks was found for 40% of all Chicago cold air outbreaks. There were 93 cold events identified as opposed to only 67 SSW events. Only 25% of the time there was no cold event related to a SSW event. Most of the SSW events occurred in late winter (January – March), a total of 57, as opposed to only 16 in early winter. While a direct connection cannot be made over lag time, certain connections can be made to frequency of SSW events over a given period of year. Demonstrating the relationship between SSW and cold air outbreaks in Chicago should assist operational meteorologists in predicting future cold outbreaks.

Company Sponsor: Hintzsche Fertilizer, Inc.
Student Team: Robert Clavey and Tyler McDowall
Title of Project: Developing a climatological guidebook for a north-central Illinois agri-business

Abstract: This study analyzed climate data for DeKalb, IL, in order to provide Hintzsche Fertilizer information with which to supplement their agronomic consulting services for clients across northern Illinois. The focus of this study was to analyze growing degree units, precipitation, freeze date, and corn yield data in order to develop a climatological guidebook. Relationships between annual corn yield anomalies and seasonal growing degree units and precipitation totals were weak suggesting that a stronger relationship might exist for climate factors at shorter temporal scales (e.g., month or week). A further emphasis was placed on the climate anomalies associated with the 2009 growing season in northern Illinois in the form of a case study. Three weather-related aspects of the growing season, a wet planting period, an unusually cool summer, and wet harvest period were examined and their impacts on the corn crop yields discussed.

Company Sponsor: T-Storm Weather
Student Team: Dan Hansen, Joe Larsen, Kyle McAdams, and Kelly Rose Ortega
Title of Project: Correlating El Niño sea surface temperature anomalies with Midwest U.S. growing season temperature and precipitation anomalies.

Abstract: Temperature and precipitation anomalies can affect the development and potential yields of crops in the Midwest United States. T-Storm Weather is a company that provides weather forecasts to users in the agricultural community. Because monthly and seasonal climate anomalies and related long-range climate outlooks are so important to crop development, it is thought that the signature of large scale climate phenomena can be used to help develop these forecasts. El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is one of these phenomena and involves sea surface temperatures (SST) in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This study related winter ENSO region 3.4 SST anomalies to monthly climate division temperature and precipitation anomalies in the Midwest United States during the growing season (April-September) in an attempt to provide a growing season forecasting tool useful to this company and its agricultural users. Findings of the study show that little correlation exists between precipitation anomalies and SST anomalies for the studied months. However, relatively strong positive correlations exist between temperature anomalies and SST anomalies for the months of July, August, and September. Contingency table analysis showed that relationships vary across months and climate divisions.

Company Sponsor: Xcel Energy
Student Team: James Ball, Yi-Yin Chang, Rick DiMaio, and Andy King
Title of Project: Wind tunnel failure: An examination of high wind events on the Cedar Creek, Colorado wind farm.

Abstract: High wind events (>59 mph) can be detrimental to wind energy production in the High Plains region. This paper advances the methodology for identifying meteorological conditions that cause high winds. Data from the Cedar Creek wind farm is used for identification of four dates, which experienced turbine failures and six dates that approached failure. In addition, six high wind events in the Boulder region were analyzed to determine possible influences of Chinook winds on turbine failure at Cedar Creek. Results reveal that slowly, progressive mid-latitude cyclones over the western High Plains and the presence of moderately strong anti-cyclones west of the continental divide contribute to a majority of wind turbine failures. Decision trees were developed and tested as thoroughly as possible as the limited data of high wind events allow. Further analysis of surface and upper air data may prove beneficial in predicting high winds in real-time scenarios.

Another successful Career Day!

2009-12-10T14:22:00.004-06:00

On Friday, November 2oth, the NIU Department of Geography held its annual "Career Day", an experience that connects the Department's current students with alumni. During this much-anticipated event, alumni make their way back to DeKalb in order to share their career development experiences with students, recruit candidates for positions or internships, and reconnect with friends and colleagues. The Career Day activities started with introductions by Dr. Chris McCord (Dean of LA&S) and Dr. Andrew Krmenec (Geography Chair), followed by Career Break-out Sessions where alumni were able to connect with students in specific subdisciplines, including meteorology.

Argonne scientists, Ms. Jenni Prell and Mr. Mike Ritsche, discuss internship opportunities with Argonne National Lab during the Meteorology Breakout Session.

The following meteorology alumni provided valuable feedback and discussions (listed by graduating class):

Mr. Gilbert Sebenste (1995) - NIU Meteorology Office
Mr. Mike Ritsche (B.S. 1997, M.S. 2001) - Argonne Nat. Lab.
Mr. Mark Russo (1998) - Chesapeake Energy
Mr. Gino Izzi (2002) - NWS-Romeoville office
Ms. Peggy Concannon (2002) - Allstate Insurance
Ms. Vanessa McCormick (2005)
Ms. Joi Kwiatkowski (2006) - URS
Ms. Jenni Prell (B.S. 2008, M.S. 2009) - Argonne Nat. Lab.

Additional MET alumni (not listed) participated in the GIS breakout session.

As part of "Geography Week", Mr. Dustin Oltman (BS in 2006; MS in 2008; AON Reinsurance) stopped by Dr. Ashley's Natural Hazards and Environmental Risk to discuss the reinsurance industry. The NIU MET faculty would like to thank Mr. Oltman for a fascinating talk and ensuing discussion.

Once again, thank you to all the Meteorology Program alumni who visited and shared their wealth of knowledge about classes, internships, jobs, and the state of our profession. We all look forward to Career Day 2010!

NIU MET Attends COD Severe Weather Symposium

2009-11-12T07:38:00.004-06:00

Our good friends at the College of DuPage hosted a remarkable gathering of the brightest minds in severe convective storm meteorology the weekend of November 5-7th. About ten undergraduate students, five graduate students, NIU Staff Meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste, and Dr. Ashley attended the symposium at the DoubleTree Hotel in Downers Grove, IL.

The group of NIU students, staff, and faculty at the conference.

The "all star" lineup of speakers included: Dr. Chuck Doswell (CIMMS), Roger Edwards (SPC/NOAA), Dr. Adam Houston (UNL), Dr. Paul Markowski (PSU), Al Pietrycha (NWS), Dr. Erik Rasmussen (Rasmussen Systems Inc.), Dr. Yvette Richardson (PSU), Dr. Roger Wakimoto (NCAR/EOL), Dr. Morris Weisman (NCAR/MMM), and Dr. Josh Wurman (NCAR/CSWR). The symposium included a number of amazing talks and exhilarating panel discussions that focused on: understanding the latest techniques for severe weather forecasting, the use of mesoscale and storm-scale modeling physical processes leading to the development of supercells and tornadoes, the effective use of remote sensing in severe thunderstorm evolution and behavior, and the preliminary results of VORTEX II. The most remarkable experience of the weekend for the undergraduate students was the group's discussion with Dr. Chuck Doswell on Thursday evening. Dr. Doswell spoke with NIU students privately for roughly an hour, providing insight on what it takes to succeed in the profession.

The folks at NIU would like to thank Paul Sirvatka, Matt Powers, and all the other fine folks at COD who put together this amazing event. Thanks! We can't wait for the next symposium!

Tim Marshall – Damage Expert, Storm Chaser, and NIU Alumus – visits NIU

2009-11-09T11:22:00.005-06:00

On Tuesday, November 3rd, the NIU Student Chapter of the AMS hosted a joint meeting with the Chicago AMS Chapter. The meeting featured guest speaker Tim Marshall – a 1978 graduate of the NIU Meteorology Program.

Undergrad Tim Marshall posing in front of Davis Hall (circa 1978).

Tim is a professional engineer for Haag Engineering and travels a great deal surveying storm damage across the U.S. He has conducted more than 100 damage surveys of hailstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Some of the famous tornadoes he has surveyed included the F5's at Jarrell, TX (1997; he told the audience at NIU he considers this the worst damage he has witnessed), Bridge Creek, OK (1999), Greensburg, KS (2007), and Parkersburg, IA (2008). Some of the famous hurricanes he has surveyed include Hugo in South Carolina (1989), Andrew in Florida (1992), Katrina in Mississippi (2005), and Ike in Texas (2008).

Tim is also a pioneering storm chaser. During the past 30 years, Tim has filmed more than 200 tornadoes and experienced 17 hurricanes. He is also a participant in the VORTEX2 project, an ambitious field project investigation tornadogenesis in the Great Plains during the 2009-10 severe weather seasons.

Tim spoke about “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” storm chasing experiences he had during the 2008 season. This funny talk provided insight into the meteorology of some of Tim’s biggest storm chasing catches, as well as “busts”, during this eventful season. Thanks Tim for a wonderful talk!

Portions of this post gleamed from Wikipedia.

AMS President, NOAA Climate Services Chief, and NIU Alumnus Visits

2009-09-28T15:01:00.004-05:00

This past week, NIU Meteorology had the honor of hosting NIU Alumnus Dr. Tom Karl. Dr. Karl graduated cum laude from NIU’s meteorology program and subsequently earned an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and received a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) from North Carolina State University. Since 1998, Karl has been Director of the National Climatic Data Center, which, as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is responsible for archiving and maintaining the quality of national and international climate data bases. He has been leading all of NOAA’s climate services since early 2009.

In 2007 Karl along with other leading scientists shared in the Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Gore based on findings of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In addition to lead roles in the development of the IPCC reports, Karl has made many significant contributions to research and scholarship in climatology. He has authored and co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, been an editor for numerous journals, and served on various committees of the American Meteorological Society. He is a Fellow of American Geophysical Union and of the American Meteorological Society and serves as President of the AMS.

From 1998 to 2001, Karl worked with the Clinton Administration, providing data used to develop its climate change policy. He was cited as one of the world’s 10 most influential researchers of the 1990s who have formed or changed the course of research in a given area.

This past weekend, Dr. Karl was one of 50 recipients of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Golden Anniversary Alumni Award. The award honors individuals who have distinguished themselves either in professional fields or through involvement in civic, cultural or charitable service. As part of his weekend visit to his alma mater, Dr. Karl discussed climate change and future professional opportunities with NIU Meteorology students and faculty.

Tom Parisi and the NIU Office of Public Affairs contributed to this story.

Spring 2009 Kudos!

2009-05-06T09:39:00.005-05:00

Another academic year comes to a close, bringing a long, long list of kudos for NIU Meteorology Program students and faculty.

First, congratulations to our student award winners, which were featured in our “2009 Cookout” blog post. Those honored were Becky Belobraydich for the Liberals Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award in Meteorology; Rachel Dearing and Bethany Norris for the Nancy Wick Award for Outstanding Achievement as Seniors in Meteorology; and Kristina Rohrbach for the Jack Villmow Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Junior in Meteorology. Congratulations Becky, Rachel, Bethany, and Kristina!

At the 62nd Annual Journalism Banquet, Carie Cunningham was awarded the Northern Television Center Weather Reporter of the Year Award. Congrats Carie!

Bethany Norris will pursue a master’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on a highly competitive teaching assistantship. She will be working under Dr. Larry Di Girolamo quantifying trade-wind cumulus clouds as well as developing climatologies of these clouds for incorporation into global climate models. Bethany also recently completed her honors capstone paper, entitled “Illinois Precipitation Anomalies in 2008,” which examined the unusually high precipitation Illinois received that year at several temporal and spatial scales to determine the frequency and spatial distribution of the precipitation. Congratulations on graduating with University Honors and best of luck at University of Illinois!

During the 2009 spring semester, Erik Janzon wrote an honors capstone paper entitled, "A Case Study of a Wake Low in Northern Illinois and its Numerical Model Prediction." The paper analyzed a wake low-induced severe wind event that occurred last May and the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in the prediction of the low three hours in advance. This summer, Erik will be an intern meteorologist for the North Dakota Water Commission, where he will assist with the ongoing cloud modification experiment there. The goal of the experiment is to mitigate hail production and increase rainfall. Congratulations on graduating with University Honors and good luck this summer in North Dakota!

This past semester, Becky Belobraydich had the honor of being chosen to receive the University Women's Club Scholarship, which is based upon academic merit and personal achievement. She will be spending the upcoming summer at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma as the assistant for the National Weather Center Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Congratulations and good luck, Becky!

Graduate students Tom Walsh and Victor Gensini secured summer internships with Chesapeake Energy. Chesapeake Energy Corporation is the number one independent producer of natural gas in the nation and the most active driller of new wells. Their meteorology division, located in the West Loop of Chicago, monitors weather patterns and climate anomalies to inform their agricultural and energy clients about weather patterns that may affect those respective markets. This summer, Tom and Victor will be assisting Chesapeake with climate research and severe weather forecasting. Congratulations to Tom and Victor! Better dig out those business suits!

Graduate student Jenni Prell will continue a Co-Op placement this summer at Argonne National Laboratory. She will be continuing work assisting with climate model adjustments for modeling increased biofuel production, as well as assisting with routine field measurements made at Fermilab. Jenni will also be assisting researchers working on the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program's newest mobile facility, the AMF2. A recent contract awarded to Argonne by the Department of Energy (DOE) has allowed the laboratory to begin development of this climate research platform that will be able to make observations on both land and ocean, allowing for atmospheric measurements to be made in remote regions. The current AMF is only land-based. Read about the AMF2 here. Good luck Jenni!

NIU graduate Monica Zappa will be leaving NIU to attend the University of Oklahoma in the Fall 2009 where she will work as a research assistant for the new Social Science Woven into Meteorology (SSWIM) program at the National Weather Center. She will also be working on her Ph.D. in the Geography Department and is planning to continue her study into societal impacts from weather disasters. Monica was also the recipient of an Outstanding Women Student Award this spring. The award recognizes the achievements of graduating outstanding women students. Congratulations, Monica! Good luck in Oklahoma!

NIU graduate student Chris Gilson will be attending Mississippi State University this coming fall to pursue a Doctorate Degree in Earth and Atmospheric Science. Chris has obtained a research assistantship and will be working under the direction of Dr. Mike Brown on a hazard mitigation project for Mississippi State University. Good luck Chris!

NIU graduate student Jeremy Spencer has secured an extremely competitive teaching assistantship at Kent State University. Jeremy plans to pursue a Ph.D. at Kent State, researching human vulnerability to weather hazards. Best of luck in Ohio, Jeremy!

2008 NIU MET grad, Hiroyuki Ito, was recently awarded a graduate research assistantship at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. This highly competitive award will fund Hiro to work at the International Pacific Research Center whose focus is on climate variation and predictability in the Asia-Pacific region, including regional aspects of global climate change. Please see this blog entry for Hiro’s amazing journey.

Dr. Walker Ashley was featured as a guest speaker at Tom Silling’s enormously popular Fermi Lab Tornado and Severe Weather Seminar. Dr. Ashley’s spoke on his recent research on tornado vulnerability. You can watch the entire seminar, including Dr. Ashley’s talk, at WGN’s website.

Backstage at the 2009 Seminar: (from l-to-r) Erik Janzon, Tom Skilling, Becky Belobraydich, and Walker Ashley.

Additionally, the NIU Meteorology faculty would like to thank the NIU-NWS Cooperative Observers who diligently took weather observations every morning at 7 am for the past 365 days. Their efforts are not only appreciated by the faculty, but by all of those who utilize these important records in their climate analyses -- from Gilbert Sebenste at NIU to the climate modelers examining global warming at NCAR. First, and foremost, we thank Kevin Nasiatka who performed admirably as the Coop's Weather Director this year. He was assisted by the following students: Trevor Edmonson, Erik Janzon, Kyle McAdams, Ryan Oates, Matias Sich, Rose Sengenberger, Carie Cunningham, Marius Paulikas, Alecia Osborne, and Ian Chang. Again, thank you.

Finally, good luck to our entire graduating senior class! Make sure you stop back by for Career Day ... or any day! Keep your eyes to the sky.

Spring 2009 Cookout

2009-05-05T16:28:00.009-05:00

On Thursday, April 30th, about 45 students, faculty, and friends gathered behind Davis Hall to celebrate the end of NIU's 2008-09 academic year. Hamburgers and hot dogs were grilled by head bbq chef (and graduate student), Victor Gensini; furthermore, our outgoing AMS president, Travis Carlson, brought a cake to the event that will make any weather wennie laugh (see below for visual evidence). MET faculty also distributed annual awards, which are listed below. Congrats to those who received these tremendous accolades. Thanks to all who attended – it was fun to gather one last time before graduation!

Even the "Ace of Cakes" would have a hard time surpassing this beauty of a cake! For the nonmeteorologists out there ... that's a supercell!

Annual Awards: During the cookout, several of our AMS members were awarded with honors. Congratulations to all who were honored, including:

Becky Belobraydich for the Liberals Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award in Meteorology;

Rachel Dearing and Bethany Norris for the Nancy Wick Award for Outstanding Achievement as Seniors in Meteorology;

and Kristina Rohrbach for the Jack Villmow Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Junior in Meteorology.

AMS-NWA Election Results: Finally, we have a new NIU AMS-NWA Executive Board!

The 2009-10 President is Chuck Richie (2nd from left). Assisting Chuck will be VP Eddie Wildermuth (center), Secretary Ryan Oates (2nd from right), Treasurer Tierney Manning (right), and Webmaster Rose Sengenberger (left). Congrats to the new Exec Board!

NIU "Met" attends the 13th Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference

2009-04-10T08:30:00.005-05:00

Nine undergraduate students, four graduate students, NIU Staff Meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste, and Dr. Ashley attended the 13th Annual Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference in West Des Moines, IA on April 2nd-4th, 2009. This year's conference was held at the West Des Moines Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center and provided three days of exciting talks on all aspects of severe weather.

NIU's contingent at the conference!

NIU students highlighted their own research by presenting three separate posters, including:

“Radar Morphology of Fatal Convective Straight-line Wind Events” by Joe Schoen (NIU) and Walker Ashley (NIU); this work illustrates preliminary results from Joe’s thesis, which is examining the storm morphology of killer tornado and nontornadic wind events over the past 10-15 years.
“Human Vulnerability to Lightning in Georgia” by Chris Gilson (NIU), Walker Ashley (NIU), Mace Bentley (NIU), and Tony Stallins (FSU); this poster highlighted Chris’ thesis work, which examined the enhancement of physical vulnerability to lightning due to population expansion in and around Atlanta, GA. The work further discusses how the urban heat island may be augmenting lightning around the city which, in turn, increases risk to the hazard.
“The Response of University Students to Severe Weather Watches” by Becky Belobraydich (NIU and Univ. of Oklahoma/NWC-REU Program) and Matthew Biddle (OU); this work highlighted Becky’s research from summer 2008's National Weather Center Research Experiences for Undergraduates, where she had the distinct honor to collaborate with Dr. Biddle at OU.

Congratulations to Hiroyuki Ito!

2009-04-10T07:53:00.006-05:00

Hiroyuki Ito, who received his B.S. in Meteorology and Certificate in GIS from NIU, was recently awarded a Graduate Research Assistantship at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. This highly competitive award will fund Hiro to work at the International Pacific Research Center whose focus is on climate variation and predictability in the Asia-Pacific region, including regional aspects of global climate change.

Hiro’s hard work in the classroom as well as his internship experience is what earned this graduate research assistantship. During Hiro’s Junior and Senior years, he volunteered to take daily 7am weather observations at the National Weather Service’s Cooperative Weather Station on the NIU campus. He also applied and obtained an internship position in aviation meteorology at ENSCO, Inc. who provides United Airline Operation and Weather Support. Hiro also applied and secured an internship in the GIS and Assessment Office of Whiteside County, Illinois. While a full-time student, each week Hiro would drive 80 miles roundtrip to work at ENSCO and 120 miles roundtrip to work at Whiteside County. These internships gave Hiro a competitive background that placed him above the many other applicants at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

Hiro is one of many of our students who have applied for and received funding to complete degrees at the M.S. or Ph.D. levels this year. We've recently received news that some of our students will be attending graduate schools (with tuition waivers and graduate assistantships) at the University of Illinois, Mississippi State University, University of Oklahoma, and Kent State. Congrats and good luck in grad school!

Learning Experiences in Broadcast Meteorology

2009-02-20T08:20:00.006-06:00

One of the unique on-campus preprofessional partnerships the Meteorology Program benefits from is with the Department of Communication’s Northern Television Center (NTC). The NTC assists in applying the meteorology students’ knowledge of weather analysis and forecasting in a real-world television studio environment. For many years, NIU meteorology students have participated in daily student-run broadcasts that feature weather segments – what a great experience for those interested in pursuing a meteorology broadcasting career! Students have the opportunity to develop and construct their own weather presentations in front of the studio’s green screen, which is an excellent way for students to practice communicating weather phenomena to a broad audience. In addition, tapes of these broadcasts may be used to illustrate a student’s abilities to potential employers when applying for internships or jobs.

The Northern Television Center studios.

Meteorology students who study and work at the NTC utilize a variety of weather data obtained through the National Weather Service, including sophisticated data from remote sensing tools such as radars and satellites as well as advanced numerical weather prediction models. Using these data, in combination with their forecasting knowledge gathered from classes such as Synoptic Meteorology (MET 320 and 421) and Mesoscale Meteorology (MET 444), students are encouraged to formulate their own five-day forecasts similar to those forecasts found on local and national news broadcasts. The NTC broadcasts are aired daily Monday-Thursday with full news, sports, and, of course, weather coverage! The daily show is broadcast worldwide through the Department of Communication website and through MySpace, as well as on-air broadcast to the student body and local community via the Northern Television Channel. The NIU Northern Television Center and the Meteorology Program is a distinctive on-campus partnership that facilitates the development and honing of professional broadcasting skills in our students!

Current and future Meteorology Students interested in preprofessional experiences at NTC are asked to contact Carrie Cunningham, an undergraduate junior majoring in Meteorology and Journalism. Students interested in Meteorology as a major, as well as meteorology broadcasting internships with local channels in Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities, are asked to contact the Meteorology Undergraduate Coordinator, Dr. Dave Changnon. Students in the Meteorology Program with an interest in broadcast meteorology should investigate completing a Minor in Journalism through the Department of Communication. Dr. Allen May, the faculty coordinator for the NTC, will work with Dr. Changnon to assist Meteorology Program students in the integration of the broadcast minor coursework into their academic program. This minor, much like the GIS certificate, assists students who are looking for internships and employment.

Undergrad Research Experiences: The Case of MET 431 (Applications in Climatology)

2009-01-16T16:12:00.013-06:00

Spring 2009 Colloquium Series Announced

2009-01-13T07:51:00.001-06:00

The spring 2009 Geography Colloquium schedule was recently released and it includes a number of talks related to the atmospheric sciences. All talks take place in Davis Hall's Room 121 on Friday's at 3-4 pm. Please feel free to join us for this exciting semester of speakers!

January 23: "How Will Species Respond to Current Climate Changes? Lessons from the Last Deglaciation." by Dr. Jack Williams (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

February 6: "Geographic Perspective of Railroad Safety in Illinois" by Stephen C. Laffey (Illinois Commerce Commission)

February 27: "Computer Simulation Responses to Global Change at the Alpine Treeline" by Dr. George Malanson (University of Iowa)

March 20: "Water Resources and Environmental Issues" by Dr. Mohamed Sultan (Western Michigan University)

April 3: "Climate-Economic Models and Uncertainties" by Dr. Donald A. Hanson (Argonne National Laboratory)

April 10: "Woody Vegetation Change, Carbon Storage, and Climate Change Mitigation" by Dr. William Currie (University of Michigan)

April 17: "Modeling Seasonal Spread of Soybean Rust in North America" by Dr. Scott Isard (Penn State University)

April 24: "The Biogeography of Forest Change: Crown Fire, Insect Epidemics, and Drought in Ponderosa Pine Forests of the American Southwest" by Dr. Joy Nystrom Mast (Carthage College)

Career Day 2008 a Huge Success!

2008-12-02T17:25:00.007-06:00

On Friday, November 21st, the NIU Department of Geography held its annual "Career Day", an experience that connects the Department's current students with alumni. During this much-anticipated event, alumni make their way back to DeKalb in order to share their career development experiences with students, recruit candidates for positions or internships, and reconnect with friends and colleagues. The Career Day activities started with introductions by Dr. Harold Kafer (Deputy Provost), Dr. Chris McCord (Dean of LA&S), and Dr. Andrew Krmenec (Geography Chair), followed by Career Break-out Sessions where alumni were able to connect with students in specific subdisciplines, including meteorology.

NIU Staff Meteorologist, Gilbert Sebenste, discusses upcoming internship opportunities with NIU Weather during the Meteorology Break-out Session.

The following meteorology alumni provided valuable feedback and discussions (listed by graduating class):

Mr. Bill Wilson (1979) - National Weather Service (Romeoville, IL)
Mr. Mark Carroll (1984) - Murray & Trettel (forecasting firm)
Mr. Gilbert Sebenste (1994) - NIU Weather
Mr. Mike Ritsche (BS in 1997; MS in 2001) - Argonne National Lab
Mr. Mark Russo (1998) - Chesapeake Energy
Mr. Sam Shea (2005) - National Weather Service (Anchorage, AK)
Mrs. Cindy Dettmer-Shea (2005) - Meteorologist with State of Alaska
Ms. Joi Kwiatkowski (2006) - URS (international environmental firm)
Mr. Alan Black (BS in 2006; MS in 2008) - Midwestern Reg. Climate Cen.
Mr. Dustin Oltman (BS in 2006; MS in 2008) - AON Reinsurance
Mr. Dan Heidel (2007) - ENSCO (forecasting firm for United Airlines)

Thank you to all the Meteorology Program alumni who visited and shared their wealth of knowledge about classes, internships, jobs, and the state of our profession. We all look forward to Career Day 2009!

NIU Research: Nighttime Tornadoes are Worst Nightmare

2008-11-06T17:33:00.011-06:00

The following is a reproduced AMS-NIU joint press release featuring research by the Meteorology Program's Dr. Walker Ashley, as well as the Department of Geography's Dr. Andrew Krmenec and Mr. Rick Schwantes.

NIU researchers say twisters occurring from midnight to dawn are 2.5 times more likely to kill

DeKalb, Ill. — A new study by Northern Illinois University scientists underscores the danger of nighttime tornadoes and suggests that warning systems that have led to overall declines in tornado death rates might not be adequate for overnight events, which occur most frequently in the nation’s mid-South region.

Over the past century, the tornado death rate has declined, in large part because of sophisticated forecasting technology and warning systems. But the researchers found that the nighttime tornado death rate over the past century has not shared the same pace of decline as the rate for daytime tornadoes.

“The proportion of nocturnal fatalities and killer tornado events has increased during the last half century,” said lead author Walker Ashley, an NIU meteorologist and professor of geography. “Unfortunately, this nocturnal fatality rate appears to be a major factor for the stalled decline in national tornado-fatality tallies during the past few decades.”

Ashley, NIU Geography Chair Andrew Krmenec and Research Associate Rick Schwantes published their study in the October issue of the American Meteorological Society’s journal, “Weather and Forecasting.”

The study found that from 1950 to 2005, 27 percent of tornadoes in the United States were nocturnal, yet 39 percent of tornado fatalities and 42 percent of killer tornado events occurred at night.

Ashley predicts that annual tornado fatalities might begin to rise. In 2007 alone, 80 tornado fatalities were recorded, with 59 of those fatalities occurring between sunset and sunrise. Nineteen of 26 killer tornadoes that year occurred at night. So far this year, 123 tornado fatalities already have been recorded—nearly double the annual average.

“The tornado death rate has bottomed out and is probably going to increase due to several factors,” Ashley said. “Because of population growth and development patterns, including urban sprawl, tornado risk to the populace has increased in recent decades. Tornadoes are impacting larger populations that are more spread out, resulting in higher tornado death tallies.”

The most dangerous window of time for a tornado, according to the study findings, is the period from midnight to sunrise. Tornadoes during this time period are 2.5 times as likely to kill as those occurring during the daytime hours.

People are more vulnerable during nighttime events because:

Tornadoes are difficult for the public and trained spotters to see.
People are more likely to be asleep.
People are more likely to be in structures that are more susceptible to damage, such as single-family homes and mobile or manufactured homes as opposed to schools and large office or workplace buildings. (Nearly 61 percent of tornado fatalities in mobile homes take place at night.)
Warning sirens are designed to mitigate hazards for people outdoors and are less effective at reaching those indoors.

“Because most people go to bed after the late evening news, they are sleeping and unaware of televised weather alerts,” Ashley said. “And warning sirens give us a false sense of security. They’re not designed for warning people who are already indoors. We're not seeing a forecasting problem but rather a communication breakdown.

“Scientists, along with emergency managers and people living in tornado-prone areas, must work together to solve this problem,” he added. “Right now, the best alert option during this overnight period is a weather radio.”

A relatively small proportion of American households own weather radios, though they are widely available, cost as little as $25 and come equipped with alarms.

As Ashley noted in previous studies, the nation's mid-South region is most vulnerable to nighttime tornadoes. In fact, while the “tornado alley” region of the Great Plains boasts the most frequent occurrence of tornadoes, most tornado fatalities occur in the mid-South region, which includes parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.

Percentage of nocturnal tornadoes by state.

Among the reasons for higher vulnerability: The southeast United States has the highest percentage of mobile-home stock compared with any other region east of the Continental Divide. The NIU meteorologist said 45 percent of all fatalities during tornadoes occur in mobile homes, compared to 26 percent in permanent houses.

The new study also finds that seasonal factors also come into play. The cool and spring-transition seasons from November to April have the highest nocturnal fatality rates, despite having relatively few tornado events. Daylight hours are at a minimum during these months. Also, storms that occur before the national peak in the severe storm season, which spans May and June, are more likely to catch people off guard.

“Nocturnal tornadoes are dangerous anywhere, but the danger is enhanced in the South,” Ashley said. “There are more nocturnal events in the South than in the Great Plains. And the mobile-home density is much greater in the South as well. It’s a combination of factors.”

The American Meteorological Society is the nation’s premier scientific organization for those involved in the atmospheric and related sciences. For a copy of the paper, contact Tom Parisi (tparisi@niu.edu) or Stephanie Kenitzer (kenitzer@ametsoc.org).

Sun, Surf, and Studying ... in Hawaii!

2008-10-22T14:21:00.007-05:00

Bethany Norris, a senior NIU meteorology major, had the incredible opportunity to spend nine weeks this past summer in Honolulu, Hawaii performing research through the prestigious NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program. As part of her internship, she contributed to a project entitled PRICIP, which stands for Pacific Region Integrated Climatology Information Products. The goal of this project is to understand the trends in the frequency and intensity of Pacific storms in order to predict the impacts of future storms, as well as convey this information in a format that is clear and accessible to the public.

Bethany spent the summer developing historical event anatomies, or case studies of past storms, for the project. These historical event anatomies had three main components: event overview, climatology, and impacts. Four events were chosen to research, two high tide events and two high surf events, all impacting the island of O’ahu.

Her research project included obtaining tide station and wave buoy data from the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services and the National Data Buoy Center, along with information concerning the impacts of events from local television and newspaper web sites. In addition, since high surf in Hawaii is generated by extratropical storms traversing both hemispheres of the Pacific, surface weather charts covering the entire ocean basin were examined to determine when and where the waves were generated by these storms. She also assisted in developing a high surf event impacts chart, which is used to describe the types of hazards (e.g. washed out roads, risk of injury to surfers, lifeguard rescues) that can occur in various surf/tide scenarios.

As the only meteorologist on her research team, Bethany was able to evaluate, discuss, and write about topics such as development of extratropical cyclones and interpretation of surface and upper-air weather maps. Further, she was able to learn about ancillary, but valuable, topics such as surf forecasting, ocean wave characteristics, and coastal processes.

Bethany next to the vent on Kilauea.

This is the second summer in a row that has featured NOAA-sponsored travel for Bethany. In May 2007, she spent a week at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland attending the Hollings Scholarship program’s orientation. The purpose of the orientation was to familiarize the scholars with NOAA and highlight the many opportunities available for the required internship. During her visit, Bethany attended presentations from a multitude of NOAA offices and divisions, toured a variety of NOAA facilities, and attended career fairs held specifically for the Hollings Scholars.

The NOAA Hollings Scholarship is just one of the amazing funding and pre-professional research opportunities for undergraduate atmospheric science students. We recommend that all of our undergraduate students who fit the eligibility requirements submit an application to this truly remarkable program.

Graduate Student Participates in Coop at Argonne

2008-10-01T08:29:00.000-05:00

This summer, NIU Department of Geography graduate student Jenni Prell worked among scientists in the Environmental Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory, a Department of Energy research center, under a Graduate Cooperative Education Appointment. Her main project was to assist in adjusting a climate model for biofuel research through the guidance of her supervisor Dr. V. Rao Kotamarthi. The goal of the ongoing project is to show what changes might occur in our environment if current land use practices were switched to grow crops used for different forms of biofuels. The Community Land Model (CLM) is being used to model these changes, but the version did not originally include crops as a plant-functional type (pft). Corn, wheat, and soybean were added into the model as crops that would be likely used for biofuel production, and Jenni's task was to develop a carbon allocation scheme that would distribute carbon, beginning from seed to harvest, to different parts of each plant. She was able to build on her computer programming skills to implement these changes into the model, while expanding her knowledge of crop dynamics. Jenni drew upon other models and scientific literature to help solidify the allocation scheme.

Aside from working on biofuels research, Jenni was also able to take part in various other responsibilities at Argonne. She assisted in measuring, collecting, and downloading Multispectral Radiometer (MSR) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) data at outdoor sites at Fermilab, which allowed her to get up close and personal with field instruments. Jenni also assisted meteorologist and instrument mentor Michael Ritsche in preparing new instruments for deployment to the Barrow, Alaska field site of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program. The replacement of these instruments will be the focus of Jenni's thesis work, researching data quality issues of meteorological instrument change-outs.

Jenni earned her B.S. in Meteorology from NIU in Dec. 2007 and is currently working towards her M.S. in Geography/Meteorology at NIU.

Student Participates in "Research Experiences for Undergraduates"

2008-09-18T07:12:00.012-05:00

This past summer, NIU meteorology student Becky Belobraydich (pictured right) participated in a prestigious internship at the National Weather Center (NWC) on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Oklahoma. This “active research” internship was part of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The primary purpose of these internships is to provide talented undergraduates with the opportunity to experience life as a research scientist. Becky worked with her mentor, Dr. Matthew Biddle, to develop and carry out a social science-related project that examined how people, specifically university students, perceive and understand severe weather watches issued by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center and, in turn, how they use (or neglect to use) the watch information for mitigation activities. Her research involved writing a survey, arranging for permission from various academic departments at both the University of Oklahoma and Northern Illinois University to survey their students, filling out and filing the required paperwork necessary to have her study approved, administering the surveys to students, and analyzing the resulting data.

Along with the research, Becky’s summer was filled with other opportunities to learn about the different aspects of meteorology. During the early summer, she had the chance to go storm chasing several times in the Great Plains with both her mentor and fellow interns, fulfilling a lifelong dream of hers. Throughout the summer, she and her fellow interns were also able to attend seminar talks by various weather professionals, tour the National Weather Radar Testbed, and visit both government weather offices and privately owned weather companies to discover the variety of job opportunities that exist within the field of meteorology. The work performed by the interns culminated at the end of the summer with final presentations and papers on their research and findings. Becky plans to present her work at a professional conference in the near future.

One of the beautiful storms Becky was able to chase during her REU experience.

Since 1999, NIU has placed seven undergraduates in the REU program. In 2007, NIU meteorology student Victor Gensini (currently working on a M.S. at NIU) collaborated with Dr. Harold Brooks (NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory) to examine the regional variability of thunderstorm parameters over a 42-year period. Other past NIU meteorology participants include: Heather Flachs (2004), Becca Mazur (2003), Kadi Carroll (2002), Jesse Sparks (2000), and Peggy Concannon (1999). NIU students interested in future REU opportunities are asked to contact Dr. Ashley or Dr. Changnon.

Fall 2008 Colloquium Series Announced

2008-09-05T11:33:00.004-05:00

The fall 2008 Geography Colloquium schedule was recently released and it includes a number of talks related to the atmospheric sciences. All talks take place in Davis Hall's Room 121 on Friday's at 3-4 pm. Please feel free to join us for this exciting semester of speakers!

September 5: "Tornadogenesis and the Nature of Tornadoes" by Dr. Paul Sirvatka (College of DuPage)
September 12: "The Feedback between Deforestation and Climate in Amazonia" by Dr. Somnath Roy (University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign)
September 26: “The Microphysical and Radiative Properties of Tropical Cirrus Observed During TWP-ICE: Implications for Climate Studies" by Dr. Greg McFarquhar (University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign)
October 10: "Rescaling the ‘Alien’, Rescaling Personhood: Neoliberalism, Immigration, and the State" by Dr. Monica Varsanyi (City University of New York)
October 24: "The Carbon Cycle and Climate Change" by Dr. Atul Jain (University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign)
November 7: "Emerging Water Quality Challenges Facing the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago: An Overview of the Issues and Associated Research" by Dr. Thomas Granato (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago)
November 14: "Climate/Vegetation Interactions Simulated in Global Models" by Dr. Samuel Levis (National Center for Atmospheric Research)

Graduate Student Travels to Nicaragua for Hurricane Research

2008-08-30T09:00:00.006-05:00

NIU Department of Geography graduate student, Monica Zappa, spent a majority of her summer break in Bluefields, Nicaragua, where she researched the area’s vulnerability to hurricanes. Bluefields is located on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, where many of the cultures, customs, and languages of the city are a unique infusion from the Caribbean islands and the western part of Nicaragua. During Monica’s six week visit, she gathered information from local officials and residents about local hurricane experiences and concerns, evacuation procedures, and perceptions regarding tropical cyclones.

Children enjoy a beautiful day in Bluefields.

While most Nicaraguans immediately associate tropical cyclones with the infamous Hurricane Mitch (a storm that caused many fatal mudslides in the north central portion of the country), Bluefieldians have been scarred by the horrific memory of Hurricane Joan, 20 years prior. Hurricane Joan made landfall in 1988 as a strong Category 3 near Bluefields, which severely damaged or destroyed 80%-90% of the buildings in the city. During Monica’s interviews and conversations with the local people, she heard many firsthand accounts of Joan (pronounced Jo-wan in the local Creole English dialect). People told their stories of how they hid in bathrooms and covered themselves with mattresses and, when the storm became so strong that the walls begin to fall, they used chairs as shields from flying debris to run to find more secure shelter. Because Bluefields is not accessible by road, evacuations out of the city are not common in the event of a hurricane. Local refuge places such as churches and schools are the best protection that the people have in the event of a major storm.

Monica’s research incorporates how past experiences, such as Hurricane Joan, have influenced or altered perceptions or behaviors toward future hurricanes. Through her research surveys, she found that despite the frightening and horrific experiences that most people had with Hurricane Joan, many would still choose to stay in their homes if another hurricane were to threaten the city. Monica found that there were two main reasons that people sited for not taking refuge in the event of a future storm: 1) many believed that their homes would be able to withstand any future events because most homes are now built of cement and masonry; 2) many are reluctant to evacuate because they are not willing to leave their belongings unattended for fear that looters would steal their hard-earned possessions during or after a storm.

While she was in Nicaragua, Monica also traveled to the Corn Islands, a six hour boat ride from Bluefields, where she found even less access to refuge shelters and resources. Although the Red Cross and Defense of Civil have attempted to formulate disaster preparation along the Atlantic coast, money and resources are in such short supply due to the struggling Nicaraguan economy that very little progress has been made since Hurricane Joan in 1988. Monica will use the information she collected over the summer for the completion of her Master’s thesis, and she plans to continue disaster research in impoverished countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Monica’s research in Nicaragua was partially sponsored by a research grant from the NIU Center for Latino and Latin American Studies. For a more detailed account of Monica’s trip, visit her blog.

Professor Surveys Tsunami Aftermath

2008-07-21T08:32:00.007-05:00

During his recent sabbatical leave, NIU Meteorology Professor Mace Bentley had the opportunity to continue research into the aftermath of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. This tsunami occurred on December 26th, 2004 and killed over 300,000 people making it one of the worst natural disasters of the past century. One of the most devastated areas was the Phi Phi Islands about 25 miles off the coast of Thailand. Ton Sai Beach on Phi Phi Don (the main island) was destroyed by the tsunami as it entered the bay from two directions.

Thankfully, a more responsible rebuilding has commenced at Ton Sai Beach and four years after its destruction, it has once again become a popular tourist destination. Dr. Bentley provides this vodcast, which was recorded on Ton Sai Beach directly where the giant wave swept ashore.

Large wrecked wooden boats laying about 200 meters inland on the Hong Islands where they were carried and deposited by the tsunami.

Dr. Bentley's work illustrates the diversity of hazard studies ongoing at NIU. All disasters, whether geologic or atmospheric, have the same central component at their core -- human vulnerabilty. Examining and learning from one disaster, no matter the type, can help prevent future disasters from occurring.

Research Tracks Extreme Midwest Dew Points

2008-07-16T14:00:00.006-05:00

Research into the weather patterns in place during periods of extreme dew point temperatures in the Midwestern U.S. was recently published in the Royal Meteorological Society’s International Journal of Climatology. The research was conducted by Drs. Mace Bentley (NIU meteorology professor) and Tony Stallins. This is the first study to examine and composite multiple extreme dew point events and chronicle their evolution. Heat stress, especially in large metropolitan Midwest cities, is a serious hazard during the dog days of summer. Anticipating weather conditions leading to the development of periods of high heat and humidity are important in warning and mitigating these events. For a PDF copy of the article, please contact Dr. Bentley.

A summary of major findings follows.

1) In nearly all cases, the evolution of the synoptic environment associated with extreme dew point events includes the development and movement of low pressure from the High Plains through the upper Great Lakes. The low pressure increases and backs the surface winds that transport low-level moisture from eastern Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri eastward into Illinois and Indiana. The surface wind field acts to advect and also focus the low-level moisture already trapped within the boundary layer in the Midwest, likely enhancing the apparent temperatures throughout the region. The progression of the low pressure also acts to modulate the length of the event as thunderstorms often propagate through the Midwest as the system moves through the Great Lakes. In some cases, this low pressure development and evolution took place in several days, while in other events it took over one week. In a few events, it took the development and propagation of several low pressure centers before the ridge was suppressed southward far enough to end the extreme dew point event in the Midwest.

2) Examination of soil moisture over the region for extreme dew point events illustrates that evapotranspiration from crops over eastern Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri provides a rich source of boundary layer moisture. The surface analyses indicate that low-level flow transports moisture from this region into the Midwest.

Crops, such as corn (left) and soybeans (right), are major contributors to Midwestern extreme dew point events.

3) The vertical thermal profile of the atmosphere during extreme dew point events along with analysis of turbulent kinetic energy within the boundary layer further highlight the importance of restricted low-level mixing as instrumental in allowing near-surface moisture to increase.

The major mechanisms listed above act in concert to create dangerous combinations of low-level warm air and moisture. If one of these ingredients is missing, it is likely that extreme amounts of low-level moisture will not develop and focus over the region. Meteorologists and climatologists should monitor soil moisture and vegetative health in the region as well as ridge amplification, the development of shallow mixing layers, and increasing winds on the backside of high pressure (in response to developing lee-side low pressure) as indicators of the initiation of an extreme dew point event.

Dr. Bentley’s manuscript is another example of the exciting research ongoing at NIU – research that bridges meteorology, climatology, and hazards.

2008 AMS Awards Banquet held at Hopkins Park

2008-05-07T17:44:00.008-05:00

On Friday, May 2nd, about 45 students, faculty, and friends gathered at the City of DeKalb’s Hopkins Park to celebrate the end of NIU's 2007-08 academic year. Hamburgers and hot dogs were grilled by Dr. Ashley and a massive game of Frisbee ensued despite the threat of chaseable storms nearby. Thanks to all who attended – it was fun to gather one last time before graduation!

Hopkins Park shelter (background) and a small part of the large Frisbee circle (foreground).

Dr. Song deriving vorticity using a Frisbee instead of a dry-erase marker.

Annual Awards:
During the cookout, several of our AMS members were awarded with honors. Congratulations to all who were honored, including:

Victor Gensini for the Liberals Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award in Meteorology and Nancy Wick Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Senior in Meteorology;

Monika Bec for the Liberals Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award in Geography;

Cara Schultz for the Illinois Geographical Society’s Outstanding Senior Award;

Rachel Dearing and Becky Belobraydich for the Jack Villmow Award for Outstanding Achievement as Juniors in Meteorology; and

Alan Black, who won the Department of Geography’s Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

This year’s awardees, including (L-to-R): Victor Gensini, Monika Bec, Cara Schultz, and Becky Belobraydich [not pictured, Rachel Dearing and Alan Black]. Congratulations!

Finally, the NIU Meteorology faculty would like to thank the NIU-NWS Cooperative Observers who diligently took weather observations every morning at 7 am for the past 365 days. Their efforts are not only appreciated by the faculty, but by all of those who utilize these important records in their climate analyses -- from Gilbert Sebenste at NIU to the climate modelers examining global warming at NCAR. First, and foremost, we thank Simona Olson who performed admirably as the Coop's Weather Director this year. She was assisted by the following students: Becky Belobraydich, David Keith, Bethany Norris, Jenni Prell, Erik Janzon, Mackenzie Petrik, Chuck Richie, and Hiro Ito. Again, thank you.

New Publication Catalogs U.S. Flood Fatalities

2008-04-30T07:12:00.010-05:00

A recently published manuscript in the American Meteorological Society's Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology illustrates the history of deadly floods in the U.S. The research, which was performed by Dr. Sharon Ashley (NIU Geography Adjunct Faculty) and NIU Meteorology's own Dr. Walker Ashley, is the first study to construct a comprehensive, countrywide analysis of flood-related fatalities and injuries as reported by the NOAA publication Storm Data. The study covers a 47 period, from 1959-2005. For a PDF copy of the article, please click the manuscript image below.

According to the results, flood deaths in the U.S. are spatially distributed across all states with unique, high-frequency fatality “hot spots” found in various regions including south-central Texas, the Ohio River Valley, and along the I-95 corridor in the Northeast. Of the three types of floods examined in the study -- flash floods, river floods, and tropical system floods -- flash floods were responsible for the majority of the flood deaths from 1959-2005. This is likely due to the rapid-onset nature and the inability, at times, to issue a timely warning.

The report illustrates that the number one killer activity, or victim circumstance, surrounding flood related deaths were vehicular related. In many instances, these vehicle-related deaths occurred because the victim drove willingly into flood waters by ignoring either barricades or law officers. This lack of judgment is highly associated with a person’s perception of the dangers associated with flood waters and further investigation into these perceptions is imperative.

An NIU student willingly walking into Kishwaukee River flood waters flowing through the east campus lagoons during August 2007's flood.

The study reveals unique age-specific vulnerability patterns as well, with results suggesting that people between the ages of 10-29 and over 60 years of age are more vulnerable to floods. An interesting finding related to these demographic data is that many children, especially those younger than six years old, perish in flood events when they are driven into the flood waters by either a parent or guardian. Moreover, young children are likely to drown in a flood when playing in flooded creeks and streams. Additionally, males are more likely to perish in flooding events than females.

Results from this study contribute an important step in understanding the circumstances surrounding floods casualties in the U.S. The research findings indicate the need for more intensive flood safety education program in order to reduce the hazards related to flood events in the U.S. Finally, this work illustrates how NIU Meteorology is not only focusing on the forecasting aspects of weather perils, but is – through faculty teaching and research efforts – concentrating on understanding the integration of physical risk and social vulnerabilities that culminate in producing weather disasters. Through these efforts, our students have the opportunity to 1) understand the physical and dynamical mechanisms leading to weather perils such as floods and 2) comprehend and appreciate how human vulnerability plays an important role in creating disasters associated with these perils. Ultimately, our students (and future alumni!) are armed with the information required to mitigate these complex hazards in the future.

NIU Honors Dr. Changnon for Teaching Excellence

2008-04-07T11:58:00.004-05:00

NIU Meteorology's own Dr. Changnon was awarded the prestigious Presidential Teaching Professorship for 2008. Congrats Dr. C!

The Presidential Teaching Professorships "recognize and support faculty who excel in the practice of teaching. Recipients of this award have demonstrated over time their commitment to and success in the many activities associated with outstanding teaching. After four years as a Presidential Teaching Professor, each of these eminent faculty members is designated a Distinguished Teaching Professor."

The Northern Today has a nice piece on Dr. C and the other two professors who were awarded this professorship in 2008. We've reproduced Dr. C's portion of the article below for our blog audience. As you will see, Dr. C is well deserving of this high honor!

Excerpt below from Northern Today, 7 April 2008, by Joe King and Tom Parisi

Captivating climatologist

Students who know him best might describe Meteorology Professor David Changnon in a word: wooshkie.

It’s a term used often among NIU meteorology students and one Changnon coined himself to express his excitement over something wonderful, such as an “aha moment” that a student experiences when a difficult concept suddenly makes sense.

Enthusiastic, challenging, helpful, knowledgeable – that’s how students describe their mentor. Animated and funny, too.

“He definitely uses his comedic skills to make the class laid back,” says graduate student Jenni Prell, who took several of Changnon’s undergraduate courses. She has seen the demonstrative professor spin around, sit on the floor and kiss the blackboard in order to get a learning point across.

“You can’t help but be upbeat around him,” she says. “But he’s also a structured grader, and his courses are very challenging. What sets Dr. Changnon apart is that he really cares about students and goes above and beyond to make sure they understand the material.”

Changnon earned his a Ph.D. in climatology from Colorado State University in 1991 and came to NIU a year later. Even as a rookie professor he knew that he wanted to give students something that was absent from his undergraduate experience at another university.

“I didn’t feel that connectedness with my professors. In a sense, I felt like a number,” he says.

“At NIU, I want to help students succeed, not only by helping them to finish their degrees but also by identifying ways they can challenge themselves – by getting into the honors program, conducting research or publishing a research paper.”

By all accounts, Changnon has been successful. His teaching reputation is such that he was appointed earlier this year to lead an NIU task force exploring ways to improve teaching across the university.

Students credit him with connecting textbooks to their life experiences and inspiring their meteorology careers. An accomplished scholar, Changnon has published dozens of research articles that demonstrate how the science of climatology can be applied to real life, from developing insect migration forecasts for farmers to predicting how El Niño weather patterns will impact businesses and agriculture.

More than a third of his research papers have been co-authored with NIU students.

“I have never met anyone as successful as Dave in integrating scholarship with teaching,” says Andrew Krmenec, chair in NIU’s Department of Geography, which oversees the meteorology program. “Not only are students actively involved in his research projects, but many become lead authors on scientific publications with Dave.”

Changnon also connects students with top professionals in the field. For years, he has provided a stream of interns to one of the nation’s top meteorologists – WGN’s Tom Skilling.

In the mid-1990s, Changnon won a prestigious grant to develop an applied climatology course that also has resulted in students working alongside professionals, winning internships and landing jobs. Students in the course conduct research that helps businesses such as Allstate Insurance, Del Monte Foods and United Airlines make better-informed, weather-sensitive decisions.

Mike Ritsche first met Changnon on a visit to the geography department in 1994. Changnon’s enthusiasm convinced Ritsche to attend NIU, a decision he never regretted.

Ritsche took numerous Changnon courses, published a paper with his professor and now works for Argonne National Laboratory’s Environmental Science Division, traveling the world collecting weather data for climate-change research.

“He’s so positive about everything,” Ritsche says. “Dr. Changnon has encouraged me and others to meet challenges we would have never before thought possible.”

Published Manuscript Highlights Student-Faculty Collaboration

2008-04-06T07:45:00.003-05:00

The NIU Meteorology Faculty participate annually in the College of Liberal Arts and Science’s Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP). This program “provides opportunities for selected undergraduates to develop research skills by offering them monetary and scholarly support and significant apprenticeships with senior faculty.” Previous meteorology-oriented URAP projects have focused on a wide variety of topics, from examining the impacts of weather on agriculture, to illustrating lightning distributions in the State of Georgia. It is expected that through these collaborative activities, the student-researchers will 1) gain valuable knowledge of research methodological procedures (i.e.., the "creation" of knowledge) and 2) be afforded a more thorough understanding of the peer-review process (i.e., the "communication" of that knowledge).

During the spring of 2006, Dr. Ashley and undergraduate student Alan Black collaborated on a research project examining the deadly impacts of non-thunderstorm winds. That semester’s work culminated in a research brief that was submitted to the American Meteorological Society’s Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. Just this past week, the manuscript was published in the journal, illustrating the success of student-faculty collaborative efforts at NIU. You can read the manuscript abstract at the AMS website. For a PDF copy of the note, please click the manuscript image below.

Mr. Alan Black continues his studies at NIU after receiving his B.S. in Meteorology in 2006. Currently, he is pursuing a M.S. in Geography where he is examining the relationship between NWS warning activities and killer thunderstorm events.

Update [4/10/2008]: Results from the manuscript were the focus of recent piece at Discovery.com.

NIU "Met" attends the Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference

2008-04-06T06:46:00.003-05:00

Nine undergraduate students, three graduate students, and Dr. Ashley attended the 12th Annual Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference in West Des Moines, IA on March 27th-29th. This year's conference was held at the West Des Moines Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center and provided three days of exciting talks on all aspects of severe weather.

NIU's contingent at the conference!

NIU students and faculty highlighted their own research by presenting four separate posters, including:

"Hail Climatology and Predictability by ENSO Phase in the North Central U.S." by Simona Olson (NIU) and Barbara Mayes (NWS Omaha, NE); this work highlighted Simona's collaborative research with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities.
"Regional Variability of CAPE and Deep Shear from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis" by Victor Gensini (NIU) and Dr. Harold Brooks (National Severe Storms Laboratory); this work highlighted Victor's research from summer 2007's National Weather Center Research Experiences for Undergraduates, where he had the distinct honor to collaborate with Dr. Brooks at NSSL
"Vulnerability due to Nocturnal Tornadoes" by Walker S. Ashley, Andrew J. Krmenec, Rick Schwantes (NIU); research by Drs. Ashley and Krmenec and Mr. Schwantes illustrates the extreme vulnerability produced by nighttime tornado events.
"A Reassessment of Lightning Fatalities in the United States" by Walker S. Ashley and Christopher Gilson (NIU); This collaborative work between Dr. Ashley and Geography graduate student Chris Gilson is uncovering unique lightning risk and vulnerability patterns in the U.S.

Welcome to NIU Meteorology's Blog

2008-04-06T06:22:00.011-05:00

History:
Our Program evolved from an informal meteorological focus within the "Earth Sciences Department" (currently the Department of Geography) in the 1960s to a formal B.S. in Meteorology in 1980. We were the first meteorology or atmospheric science degree program offered by a public university in the State of Illinois and we are also among the largest in North America. Class sizes in required courses are small and personable -- averaging between 15 and 30, while enrollments in electives courses are typically smaller. In addition to regular coursework, students develop valuable preprofessional experiences through internships, undergraduate research experiences, media exposure (e.g., student run Northern Television Center and Northern Star), and cooperative weather directorships. Our close proximity to Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad-Cities afford our students a wealth of internship opportunities. Such experiences help our students open doors to the atmospheric science job market upon graduation. We hope to highlight these experiences through this blog in the future.

Curriculum:
Meteorology is a highly structured curriculum, building on two years of mathematics and one year of calculus-based physics. The core curriculum consists of a foundation course in physical meteorology, a two-course sequence in synoptic meteorology, a two-course sequence in atmospheric dynamics, remote sensing, and additional coursework outside the department in statistics and a computer programming language. Elective courses in the weather analysis and forecasting specialization examine topics ranging from how plants, buildings and the landscape affect atmospheric processes to the mechanisms underlying large-scale severe storms, how clouds and precipitation form, and the extrapolation of weather model forecasts to local settings. Courses in the applied climatology specialization focus more on the impacts of weather and climate on human activities and the environment, understanding the geographic and temporal variability of climate, and how we can use weather and climate information to adapt our behaviors to the inherent risk and uncertainty of climate change.

NIU's B.S. degree in Meteorology meets or exceeds federal civil service requirements for employment as a meteorologist and the American Meteorological Society's recommended curriculum.

Related Degrees:
In addition to the B.S. in Meteorology, the Department of Geography offers B.S., B.A., and minor degrees in Geography, as well as Certificates in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Homeland Security. A number of our meteorology students are receiving certificates in GIS alongside their B.S. degrees. Experience and knowledge in GIS improves their marketability during the job search. For those interested in graduate work, the Department offers an M.S. in Geography with research foci in a number of geography subdisciplines, including meteorology, climatology, and hazards.

Local AMS-NWA Student Chapter:
Our students have organized a local chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association, where they participate in volunteer efforts as well as exciting activities such as attending conferences and visiting nearby National Weather Service offices and TV studios.

NIU Meteorology Faculty:
The Meteorology Program has four full-time faculty. Those faculty include:

Dr. David Changnon

Ph.D. Colorado State University

Board of Trustees and Presidential Teaching Professor

Research and teaching emphasis in meteorology, applied climatology, hydroclimatic variability, and synoptic climatology.

Dr. Jie Song

Ph.D. University of Delaware

Professor

Research and teaching emphasis in dynamic meteorology, physical meteorology, surface climatology, and modeling.

Dr. Mace Bentley

Ph.D. University of Georgia

Associate Professor
Met Undergraduate Coordinator

Research and teaching emphasis in synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, climatology, and atmospheric hazards.

Dr. Walker Ashley

Ph.D. University of Georgia

Associate Professor

Research and teaching emphasis in mesoscale meteorology, atmospheric hazards, and GIS.

The Department of Geography has nine additional faculty with specializations that blend with the atmospheric sciences, including: hydrology, societal aspects of hazards, statistics, GIS, and biogeography. You can read more about the faculty at the Department of Geography web site.

We hope you enjoy the blog! We look forward to hearing from you.