Student-led investigation of TROPOMI data for the US

<p>The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) is the satellite instrument on board the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite launched on 13 October 2017.  Data products include column estimates of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, among others, and feature unprecedent high spatial resolution. These new data products provide opportunities to gain detailed insights into emissions and their sources on scales previously not feasible. We present results from five student teams investigating TROPOMI observations in a semester-long statistical and machine learning analysis practicum under the joint guidance of an atmospheric scientist and statistician. The analysis follows agile practices, where initial results inform the next analysis step. The focus is on the United States, specifically the investigation of methane emissions from natural gas production in key geological basins.</p>

100 Years Later: Reflecting on Alfred Wegener’s Contributions to Tornado Research in Europe

Alfred Wegener (1880–1930) was a leading geophysicist, atmospheric scientist, and an Arctic explorer who is mainly remembered today for his contributions to the theory of continental drift. Less well known are his contributions to research on tornadoes in Europe. Published 100 years ago, Wegener’s 1917 book Wind- und Wasserhosen in Europa (Tornadoes and Waterspouts in Europe) is an impressive synthesis of knowledge on tornadoes and is considered the first modern pan-European tornado climatology, with 258 reports from 1456 to 1913. Unfortunately, Wegener’s book was overlooked after the 1950s amid declining interest in tornadoes by European researchers and meteorologists. The recent revival of tornado studies in Europe invites a reflection on Wegener’s book. Using a relatively small dataset, Wegener was able to describe characteristics of tornadoes (e.g., direction of movement, speed, rotation, formation mechanism), as well as their frequency of occurrence and climatology, comparable with the results from modern tornado climatologies. Wegener’s lasting scientific contributions to tornado research are presented in the context of European research on this topic. Specifically, his book showed the utility of reports from citizen scientists and inspired other researchers, namely, Johannes Letzmann, who continued to study European tornadoes after Wegener’s death.

Climate Modeling Pioneer Leads as Role Model Too

For 60 years atmospheric scientist Warren�M. Washington has conducted groundbreaking climate modeling—and launched brilliant careers.

Ralph Cicerone (1943–2016)

The former president of the National Academy of Sciences was an accomplished atmospheric scientist and a proponent of multidisciplinary collaboration, but most of all, he was a good friend.

Wang Receives 2016 James R. Holton Junior Scientist Award

Yuan Wang will receive the 2016 James R. Holton Junior Scientist Award at the 2016 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 12–16 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "outstanding research contributions by a junior atmospheric scientist within three years of his or her Ph.D."

Lu Receives the 2015 James R. Holton Junior Scientist Award

Chunsong Lu will receive the 2015 James R. Holton Junior Scientist Award at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 14–18 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "outstanding research contributions by a junior atmospheric scientist within three years of his or her Ph.D."

Barnes and Merlis Receive 2014 James R. Holton Junior Scientist Awards

Elizabeth A. Barnes and Timothy M. Merlis received 2014 James R. Holton Junior Scientist Awards at the 2014 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, held 15–19 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "outstanding research contributions by a junior atmospheric scientist within three years of his or her Ph.D."