UW-Madison Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (UW-AOS)

06/08/2026

Need a distraction? Take a few minutes to browse stunning images of weather phenomena from the 16th AOSS Photo Contest. Shout-out to AOS Assistant Professor Fraser King for the winning entry!

Around the world, the atmosphere and the weather connects us all. From the most energetic events, to subtle transformations, these captured moments reveal the complexity underlying our natural world and beyond. For the 16th year, the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Photo Contest at UW-Madiso...

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

AOS Professor Ángel Adames Corraliza reflects on tropical meteorology and Puerto Rico’s vital yet often overlooked importance in the development of the field. The island’s history of colonial rule is inextricably tied to the way meteorological science has been carried out there: a process based on extraction and exclusion that leaves local communities behind.

Ángel F. Adames Corraliza underestimated public interest in his research, until the MacArthur Foundation came calling and awarded him the “Genius” grant. Now, he reflects on why and how research gets attention.

05/29/2026

We’re thrilled to announce Assistant Professor Hannah Zanowski as the inaugural Craig K. Skaar Professor of Oceanography. This new professorship supports oceanographers in AOS who explore a wide range of fundamental physical and biogeochemical processes in the ocean, from deep in its past to far into its future. AOS is grateful to the Skaar family and excited about the new frontiers in research this fund will enable. Congratulations, Hannah!

The UW–Madison Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) is thrilled to announce Assistant Professor Hannah Zanowski as the inaugural Craig K. Skaar Professor of Oceanography.

05/18/2026

On May 9, we celebrated 34 AOS graduates who earned their BS, MS, and PhD degrees, marking the end of one journey and the beginning of another. We’re so proud of all their accomplishments, and we can’t wait to see what paths they take in weather, climate, and ocean science, and beyond. Congratulations to the class of 2026!

Photo: Yingshun Sun

05/15/2026

We had an interesting phenomenon in the sky north of Madison on Wednesday evening. A fuel dump from a Chinese rocket created a comet tail looking feature that lasted around 10 minutes. Here's the time lapse from the northwest facing AOSS Rooftop Camera.

A fuel dump from a Chinese rocket produced a feature resembling a comet trail that was visible for around 10 minutes in the northern sky over much of the cen...

05/12/2026

From gazing up at airplanes in rural Puerto Rico as a child to flying them over the Madison isthmus as a student pilot, Professor Mayra Oyola has always been drawn to flight. Explore how her passion for aviation has shaped her research in the latest edition of “Fueling Discovery” from the Wisconsin State Journal and College of Letters & Science.

With a research specialty in severe weather and aviation hazards, it might surprise you to know that I didn’t step onto my first airplane until I was 20 years old.

05/05/2026

A few weeks ago, we held one of our favorite events: the AOS Awards Ceremony. Each year, scholarships and recognitions are given to students and faculty members for distinguished research and teaching, academic excellence, and leadership within the department. Congratulations to all the awardees! Learn more about our departmental awards: https://www.aos.wisc.edu/awards/.

Pictured at left is AOS Assistant Professor Stephanie Henderson, alongside AOS undergraduates Night Zawlocki and Olivia Boyle. Henderson was the inaugural recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Award.

Photo: Yingshun Sun

05/04/2026

Nice fireball meteor caught by the UW-AOSS Rooftop Cameras last night (Sunday May 3, 2026) - here's the view from the west facing camera. Shout-out to Tom Purdy for letting us know.

2026 May 3 - Fireball Meteor - West view

05/01/2026

Please join us for the final Weather Watch of the spring semester today at 12:15 PM CDT (1715 UTC) today, May 1, 2026, streaming online at https://go.wisc.edu/uwaos-wxwatch

Hope to see you there!