Department of Atmospheric Science | Colorado State University

Our top-rated department focuses on graduate education, cutting-edge research, and public service. We currently have 17 faculty members, nearly one hundred graduate students, approximately 50 full-time researchers, and an outstanding and dedicated support staff. Our diverse areas of research include Cloud Microphysics, Severe Storms and Mesoscale Meteorology, Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality, Radiation and Remote Sensing, Climate and Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics, and Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Ecosystems. We offer graduate degrees at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels. The department was founded in 1962 by renowned tropical meteorologist Herbert Riehl and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

CSU Atmospheric Science is a leading global institution, and as such, all members of our community regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical ability, age, socioeconomic status or nationality are welcome as equal contributors. We value and appreciate diversity, and we believe that diversity on our campus strengthens our entire scientific community.

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History of the Department of Atmospheric Science

1982

Department Ranked Among Top in the United States

History: In 1982, on the occasion of the Department�s 20th Anniversary celebration, a number of leaders in Atmospheric Science in the US provided unsolicited statements and remarks congratulating the Department of Atmospheric Science for ranking among the top three in the US. They were Dr. Earl Droessler, Chief Scientist of NOAA; Dr. Eugene Bierly, Director of the NSF Atmospheric Science Division; Professor Verner Suomi from Wisconsin (an AMS Rossby Award winner); Dr. Richard Hallgren, Director of NOAA�s National Weather Service; and others. (Droessler, Bierly and Suomi all served as Presidents of the AMS and Hallgren later became its Executive Secretary. Dr. Droessler had earlier been one of the NOAA co-founders of CIRA with Professor Vonder Haar and the faculty of 1979-80). In addition, at the 20th Anniversary Dinner, Professor Peter Hobbs of the University of Washington presented Vonder Haar and the faculty with a surprise gift. It was a red and white t-shirt styled after a popular AVIS rental car commercial of the time. It was labeled in bold letters �Number 2�. This ascribed 2nd position to our Department, following, of course, the No. 1 ranked Atmospheric Science Department at Washington, widely recognized as one of the most outstanding in our field.

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Department Newsletter

December 2016
December 2015
December 2014

Teen Science Café Presents...

Join us 5-7 p.m. Feb. 8 @Everyday Joe's Coffee House

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Current Conditions

Temp:	27°F ( -3°C)
Dewpoint:	16°F ( -9°C)
Relative Humidity:	63%
Wind Speed:	3 mph, gusts 4 mph
	(5 km/h, gusts 7 km/h)
Wind Direction:	166°
Pressure:	832 hPa ( 24.60 in)

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