News and Events

The University of Utah announced the creation of the interdisciplinary Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy to promote research, study effective public policies and propose entrepreneurial business solutions to curb and combat the threats that climate change poses to human and environmental health.

Have you wondered why Utah skies are so smoky? Check out the latest KSL article that interviews Atmospheric Science assistant professor, Derek Mallia, as he explains how wildfire smoke from the west coast has caused air quality pollution. The next few days are said to bring relief from smoke but we may be in store for a smoky fall in Utah.

The heat wave is on its way out, but a new culprit has descended on Utah in its wake: wildfire smoke.Some pretty active wildfires in Idaho are to blame and the airnow.gov interactive map allows folks to see where the fires are burning that are pushing pollution levels to the extreme.While it is hazy and unhealthy out there, this bout of wildfire smoke is nothing like what descended on northern Utah last year, which logged the most unhealthy air on the planet.

Air quality concerns have stuck around for longer than Utah’s been a state, shifting as industrial technology, and the climate, has changed. Research by atmospheric sciences research assistant professor Logan Mitchell traces the history of air quality in Utah from the mid-19th century to the future.

A broadcast meteorologist does much more than stand between a green screen and a camera. They stand between the data-driven world of meteorological science and the public. AtTheU spoke with Matt Johnson, an atmospheric sciences alum and meteorologist for KSL, to hear how his studies at the U prepared him for his current role.