UW-Madison Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (UW-AOS)

08/17/2026

Today at 1:00 pm CT! Noah Lang, AOS graduate student, will defend his MS thesis and discuss "Investigating Causes of Recent Wisconsin Climate Change Using Self-Organizing Maps."

Livestream link below:

Speaker: Noah Lang, AOS graduate studentTitle: Investigating Caus...

08/03/2026

We’re thrilled to share that Ángel Adames Corraliza, AOS professor and Ned P. Smith Distinguished Chair of Climatology, has been awarded the 2027 Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award by the American Meteorological Society (AMS)! This early-career award is given to an individual in recognition of research achievement that concerns the observation, theory, and modeling of atmospheric motions on all scales. AMS recognized Adames Corraliza for his “innovative and impactful contributions to the development of moisture mode theory that has advanced fundamental understanding of tropical dynamics.” Congratulations and well deserved, Ángel!

🎊 Announcing the 2027 AMS Award & Honors Recipients!

"In a time of rapid change and upheaval, the work of the awardees and their peers reminds us that our work is essential for a thriving world." — David Stensrud, Chair of the AMS Awards Oversight Committee

Join us in celebrating their achievements! Explore the full list of honorees: https://bit.ly/4vUawuB

07/16/2026

AOS Professor Mayra Oyola-Merced spoke with the Wisconsin State Journal about wildfire smoke aerosols. Stay safe out there!

Areas to the north and east of Madison are getting the worst of the smoke, while areas to the south and west are seeing and will see lesser impacts. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

07/10/2026

El Niño is officially underway and strengthening. A few years ago, AOS Prof. Dan Vimont and collaborators at NOAA developed one of the world’s most skillful El Niño forecast models. Now, Vimont and AOS graduate students Jaf Kongkaeo, Katelyn Reagan, Ally Vizcarra, and Jack Zweifel have documented its skill and made the source code publicly available. The model is now regularly used by El Niño forecasting communities, including NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

You can also tune into Vimont and climate outreach specialist (and AOS alum) Amanda Latham discussing El Niño on “Wisconsin Today”: https://www.wpr.org/shows/wisconsin-today-2/dugan-sentencing-super-el-nino-cardboard-sculptures

There’s a big El Niño brewing this year, and CCR scientists have developed one of the most skillful El Niño forecast models in the world. With scientists at NOAA, CCR Prof. Daniel Vimont developed the …

07/08/2026

New research from AOS Professor Tracey Holloway and collaborators shows how NASA satellite data can enhance our understanding of local air quality. The studies examine the use of satellite-derived estimates of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to complement the existing U.S. air quality monitoring network and quantify particle pollution in counties without air quality monitors.

Two studies published in GeoHealth explore use of satellite-derived data to track pollution in areas without ground-based monitors

07/02/2026

How can solar power and agriculture work together to benefit energy and food production and the environment? Researchers like AOS Professor Ankur Desai and AOS graduate student Emily Mather are on the case. Here, Wisconsin Public Radio explores agrivoltaics at the Kegonsa Research Campus solar array.

And tune in to the full interview with Ankur on "Wisconsin Today": https://www.wpr.org/shows/wisconsin-today-2/court-rules-tribes-can-buy-back-land-green-energy-and-agriculture-baseball-for-breakfast

A solar project in Dane County opened last year with the idea of combining green energy and farming — known as an “agrivoltaics” site. The Kegonsa Research Campus is one of the largest in the country. WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” visited the site to see it up close.

06/30/2026

Today at 1:30 CT! Adrianna Modelska, AOS graduate student, will defend her MS thesis and discuss "Contrasting North and South African Easterly Waves: Governing Processes and Impacts."

Livestream link below:

Speaker: Adrianna Modelska, AOS graduate studentTitle: Contrastin...

06/17/2026

The AMS Madison Summit is coming up in August! For any AOS alumni who plan to attend, we hope to organize some coinciding departmental events – stay tuned!

💫 Registration for the 2026 is NOW open!

Join us at one of the largest joint meteorological conferences in Madison, WI and online. Explore a range of topics like:
🌪️ Tornado risk and response
☁️ Orographic clouds
📊 Survey methodology
🖥️ AI for weather research and operations
👀 And more

Check out the online program and register now: https://bit.ly/4efZ1a6

06/08/2026

Need a distraction? Take a few minutes to browse stunning images of weather phenomena from the 16th AOSS Photo Contest. Shout-out to AOS Assistant Professor Fraser King for the winning entry!

Around the world, the atmosphere and the weather connects us all. From the most energetic events, to subtle transformations, these captured moments reveal the complexity underlying our natural world and beyond. For the 16th year, the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Photo Contest at UW-Madiso...

06/04/2026