New Digs for Atmospheric Sciences (and Physics and Astronomy) at the U!

Today was the ribbon cutting for the new L.S. Skaggs Applied Science Building at the University of Utah.  Look closely for the oversized red scissors.

The building is a game changer for Atmospheric Sciences and Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah.  Both departments have been in old, decaying buildings for many years (with a few exceptions such as myself who was in a newer building but isolated from most of my colleagues).  We now have a gorgeous, state-of-the-art facility!

A quick tour.

The auditorium.  Looking forward to teaching or giving seminars here.  

The (still-to-be-finished) computer lab where we will be teaching weather analysis and forecasting classes.  

Meeting rooms remain important and I'm hoping to get squatting rights for occasional meetings in this one so I can stare at the views instead of the monitor. 

The future home of Professor Powder.  Sadly, I will no longer be able to see the central Wasatch (I think Physics and Astronomy faculty have dibs on that side of the building), but it's the north side of the building, so it has the right aspect to avoid direct sun.    

The 3rd floor has a blockbuster view to the west.  I can't wait to watch cold fronts, outflow boundaries, and lake-effect storms from here.  The excitement will be palpable!  The physicists have no idea what they are in for.  

The roof is going to be great for astronomy and meteorology, with the left side dedicated to weather instrumentation (not installed yet).  

You can learn more at the Applied Science Project web page or watch this YouTube Video.

Support for the building comes from the State of Utah and many donors, including Department of Atmospheric Sciences faculty, alumni, and friends.  I don't have a complete list and don't want to leave anyone out, so for now I'll just say thank you so much from a grateful department.  If you were unable to make the ribbon cutting today, I'll be happy to give a tour in the future.  Give it a few weeks so that we have more instruments on the roof.   

My current office is completely packed and the movers are coming tomorrow.  It's still a bit unclear when I'll be in the new location, but hopefully sometime next week.