Atmospheric scientists at Utah State University and the University of Utah are advancing research into the complex weather and climate dynamics of the Western United States, focusing on critical regional issues such as drought monitoring, mountain meteorology, and the environmental impacts of the Great Salt Lake.
State Climatology and Drought Services
Dr. Jonathan Meyer, serving as Utah’s Assistant State Climatologist, provides essential weather and climate services through his work with the Utah Climate Center and the USU Climate Science program. According to a directory from Utah State University, Dr. Meyer's expertise encompasses a wide range of critical regional phenomena, including Western U.S. drought monitoring, the North American Monsoon, and cloud seeding for winter precipitation enhancement.
Regional Climate Modeling Expertise
Dr. Meyer, who joined the Utah Climate Center and the USU Climate Science program in 2017, utilizes real-time numerical modeling to address the state's specific meteorological needs. His professional responsibilities extend into resource management, as he serves in various capacities within both state and federal drought monitoring communities to assist in informed decision-making processes.
Community Outreach and Education
Beyond research and modeling, Dr. Meyer leads the Utah Climate Center’s efforts in outreach and education. He also serves as the state coordinator for CoCoRaHS, a network of volunteer precipitation observers, and acts as the principal media engagement scientist for the center. His academic contributions to the university include instructing courses such as General Meteorology (PSC 2710) and Synoptic Meteorology (PSC-5875).
Atmospheric Research at University of Utah
At the University of Utah, Professor John Horel, Ph.D., focuses his research on the intersection of weather processes and environmental changes in the western United States. As noted by the University of Utah's Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Dr. Horel’s research interests include data assimilation, fire weather, mountain meteorology, and specific studies regarding the Great Salt Lake.
Great Salt Lake and Mountain Studies
Dr. Horel is a member of the Mountain Meteorology Group, which conducts extensive research into weather and climate processes across the western United States. His current research projects involve studying Great Salt Lake interactions, including remote sensing of the lake and analyzing how the lake influences local wind circulations. Additionally, he is investigating the impacts of global warming on snowfall levels within the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah.
Weather Observation and Data Systems
A significant portion of Dr. Horel's work involves the development of MesoWest, a system that provides access to surface weather observations for educational, research, and operational applications. This work includes improving data assimilation techniques in complex terrain environments. He also participates in a National Weather Service initiative aimed at developing a mesoscale Analysis of Record and its prototype, the Real Time Mesoscale Analysis.
Academic Contributions and Publications
Dr. Horel's academic background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Washington earned in 1982 and a B.S. from San Jose State University. His published research covers topics such as lake-breeze fronts in the Salt Lake Valley, terrain-forced mesoscale circulations, and the sensitivity of surface analyses over the Western U.S. to RAWS observations. At the University of Utah, he serves as an Undergraduate Career Advisor and teaches courses including Severe and Unusual Weather (ATMOS 1010) and Environmental Instrumentation (ATMOS 5050/6050).
