Bart Geerts

Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric Science College of Engineering University of Wyoming Laramie, WY, 82071, USA Tel: +1 (307) 766-2261    (fax: 307 766 2635) email: geerts@uwyo.edu Ph.D., Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, 1990 My work addresses the mesoscale dynamics of precipitating systems, boundary-layer circulations over flat and complex terrain, cloud dynamics, and cloud and precipitation radars. The main tools have been the Wyoming Cloud Radar and the UW King Air aircraft.

Current research projects

Orographic precipitation enhancement processes (since 2006): Observations over Wyoming mountain ranges in early 2006, and again in 2008 and/or 09. We hope to participate in SHARE (Sierra Hydrological and Atmospheric Rivers Experiment).

Dynamics of radar fine-lines in the pre-convective continental boundary layer (since 2002): IHOP (International Water Vapor Experiment, May-June 2002) brought together the latest technologies to document the detailed 4-D water vapor structure and its impact on convective initiation. Our work focused on the interpretation of a vertical velocity bias found in radar data of the optically-clear convective boundary-layer, the dynamics of coherent eddies in the convective boundary-layer, the fine-scale structure of cold fronts and drylines, and convective initiation mechanisms. In a future campaign, we hope to study the formation & fine-scale dynamics of drylines in West Texas (e.g., the SONDE experiment).

Dynamical processes in orographic cumuli (since 2006): CuPIDO (field phase July-August 06): a study of the fundamental dynamical processes of towering cumuli over the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, and of the interaction of cumulus convection with the topographically-controlled mesoscale circulation.  soundings, surface stations, digital photogrammetry, profiling remote sensors, numerical modeling.

Boundary-layer circulations over relatively warm water (since 2004): In early 2004 we examined cloud streets over Lake Michigan during cold-air outbreaks associated with downstream lake-effect snow. We characterized the vertical velocity and buoyancy characteristics of the 'pearls' that make up cloud streets. We hope to examine BL circulations over warm water and downstream land areas further as part of EAGLLES (Eastern Great Lakes Lake Effect Snow Project).

Teaching

· ATSC 2000 (4 cr): Introduction to Meteorology - Fall and Spring

· ATSC 5160 and 5007 (2+1 cr): Synoptic Meteorology - Spring only (taught by Dr. Parish in 2007)

· ATSC 5008 (2 cr): Mesoscale Dynamics - first offered in Fall 07

Page comments to: geerts@uwyo.edu Last updated: 04/28/2008

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