Atmospheric Science Club at UWM

Technology

UWM Atmospheric Science students and Atmo Club members have access to the Atmo computer lab in EMS W434. This lab has a number of PC and iMac computers which students can use for their classwork and research. Software on these computers including Microsoft Office, Photoshop (for editting graphics), Matlab (for creating programs for classes and research), and Adobe Acrobat (for creating PDF files). Of course, the computers can also access the Internet for weather data and other information.

The Atmospheric Science department has access to a number of online sources, including WeatherTap (www.weathertap.com), a site with quality satellite and radar data. UWM's account allows us access to interactive radar and other maps that can be very useful for forecasting. In addition, we also have a weather station that is connected to the AWS network and Weatherbug (www.weatherbug.com). Those who are interested can download Weatherbug onto their personal computers and access live weather information from the UWM tower on the EMS building. A display in the Sun lab provides the same live information for quick reference. Finally, Professor Roebber (www.uwm.edu/~roebber) and Professor Kahl (www.uwm.edu/~kahl) both have sites with links to other quality websites with weather data. These sites are used by students on a daily basis.

Individual professors also have their own weather computers and servers. Professor Roebber has access to a number of UWM weather servers, and Professor Larson (www.uwm.edu/~vlarson) uses a cluster of 22 computers (connected together in a cluster) for his research. Some graduate students and undergraduate research assistants may get to use some of these systems for their work under these professors. For more information, please contact the respective professors through their websites.

Finally, the club has recently obtained a Mobile Threat Net unit. This device uses a satellite-radio connection to obtain live radar, storm warnings and other information. The data can be acquired almost anywhere, as long as a laptop and a sufficient satellite link are available. Our club uses this software in our vehicles while storm chasing, so we can always keep abreast of where storms are located. We also use a GPS unit to visually track our vehicle, so we always know how to safely position ourselves while chasing. (Many thanks go to Michael Fichelson's mother, who donated the money for the Mobile Threat Net device!)

Access to the Atmo computer lab is available for any Atmospheric Science Club member, Atmopsheric Science majors, minors, graduate students and staff. A student ID is required for access. If you would like access to the Sun lab, please contact Dick Toth (dtoth@uwm.edu). In the email, please state that you would like access to the Sun lab room and the Sun computers. Also, state whether you are an Atmo Club member or a Atmospheric Science major/minor or graduate student. Make sure to include your full name and your UWM student ID (including all 11 digits).

Atmospheric Science's

Sun Lab

UWM's MM5 model

on Vis5D

The AWS weather station

This website is maintained by Adam Smith. Please email me with your questions or concerns.