Research is conducted at the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center Whiteface Mountain Summit Weather Station on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. (photo by Patrick Dodson) Dr. Sara Lance working on weather research equipment at University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center Whiteface Mountain Summit Weather Station on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. (photo by Patrick Dodson)

Atmospheric Sciences Research Center

Leading atmospheric scientists investigating the interaction of chemical, physical, geological and biological processes that impact our air, land and water.

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Transform Atmospheric Science Research Into Innovative Solutions

As a faculty member, researcher or student with ASRC, you will transform your research into innovative solutions through technology transfer and collaboration with state, federal and industry partners. Your work will advance the well-being of New York State’s citizens and increase economic development in the state. Our faculty members prepare tomorrow’s experts for careers in academia, government and industry.

With ASRC, you are part of one of the largest and most prominent coalitions of atmospheric science experts in the country, including xCITE Lab, the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, the NYS Mesonet and the Center of Excellence in Weather and Climate Analytics.
 

View the ASRC Strategic Plan

 

Research: Renewable Energy

ASRC Partners with DOE to Enhance Offshore Wind Research Buoys

ASRC tech Jason Covert at Lake George on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (photo by Patrick Dodson)

ASRC researchers are leading a project with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to tap into the underutilized renewable energy source of off-shore wind with a buoy-based flux measurement system.

The “flux-lidar” buoy will provide continuous data every 15 to 30 minutes on a number of atmospheric surface fluxes such as heat, momentum and moisture, while also observing wind speed and direction profiles at heights of several kilometers above sea surface. Both undergraduate and graduate student researchers are supporting the project.

Learn more about our areas of research.

Student Spotlight

Archana Tripathy

A woman with long dark hair wearing a long-sleeved black shirt stands in front of a presentation poster.

What is your area of specialty/focus? 
I am seeking my PhD. My area of focus is Atmospheric chemistry (cloud chemistry).

What influenced you to study atmospheric sciences?
I have always been a happy nephophile, very enthusiastic about the sky above. I grew up in a coastal cyclone-prone area. Witnessing the sky changing colors along with the cloud cover has been the main driving force that led me to pursue Atmospheric Science as a career.
 

ASRC Student Spotlight

ASRC Research at Whiteface Mountain

ASRC Research Associate Sara Lance and graduate student Christopher Lawrence study what clouds are doing to the chemical composition of aerosols at the Whiteface Mountain Field Station.
 

About the Whiteface Observatory

 

 

ASRC Facilities

The xCITE (ExTREME Collaboration, Innovation and Technology) laboratory is a state-of-the-art data and visual analytics laboratory operated and managed by the University at Albany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. (photos by Patrick Dodson)

The ExTreme Collaboration, Innovation, and Technology (xCITE) laboratory is a state-of-the-art software development and scientific visualization facility house within the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. 

xCite Lab
Sara Lance and Christopher Lawrence conduct Cloud-Aerosol Chemistry Interaction research at the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center Whiteface Mountain Summit Weather Station on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. A spray test helps calibrate the instruments. (photo by Patrick Dodson)

Located in the heart of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Whiteface Observatory provides unparalleled facilities to conduct innovative and socially important atmospheric and environmental science research and education.

Whiteface Mountain Field Station
Girls from Schenectady and Albany visiting NYS Mesonet site at Indian Ladder Farms as part of the four-week Girls Inc. EUREKA! Program. Photo by: Brian Busher

The NYS Mesonet is the centerpiece of New York’s Early Warning Weather Detection system, a network of 126 weather stations across the state, with at least one site in every county and borough. 

NYS Mesonet
Capital Regions BOCES/UAlbany Center of Excellence are partnering to develop an extreme weather dashboard to help school districts with decision-making for school closures/delays. We are hosting a press event to launch the dashboard.

The New York State Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics is an entrepreneurial hub for more than 120 weather and climate faculty, researchers and staff based at UAlbany.  

Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics
A man is silhouetted against a wall of monitors displaying weather data.

The State Weather Risk Communication Center (SWRCC) is a first-of-its-kind partnership between UAlbany researchers and state emergency managers that leverages the University's expertise in atmospheric sciences to help prepare for and respond to weather.

State Weather Risk Communication Center

ASRC Mobile Measurement Platform

The mobile measurement platform consists of a diesel powered 2007 Dodge Sprinter 2500 Van equipped with a suite of fast time response advanced measurement instrumentation and systems to measure traditional criteria pollutants, temperature, GPS, radar and video tracking devices.

ASRC News
Tracking the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: A Q&A with Jeff Freedman
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
New York State Mesonet Launches Total Solar Eclipse Website
As the eclipse traverses New York, the Mesonet will be tracking weather data from each of its network sites, including environmental variables such as wind speed, solar radiation, temperature and relative humidity.
UAlbany Whiteface Mountain Field Station Installs Highest Webcam in New York Ahead of Total Eclipse
Located at 4,867 feet above sea level, the field station has a new webcam at the top of its observatory that is available to the public via YouTube.
UAlbany Researchers Connect Declining Atmospheric Sulfur Dioxide Levels to Rise in Legionnaires’ Disease
Declining atmospheric sulfur dioxide levels might be related to the global rise in Legionnaires’ disease, according to a new UAlbany study which examined trends in atmospheric sulfur dioxide, Legionnaires’ disease incidence, and the role of cooling towers in harboring Legionella.
UAlbany Climate Scientist Awarded Federal Grant to Improve Resiliency of Coastal Power Grids
The project is among eight funded by NIST to support disaster resilience research across the nation.

View All ASRC News

Atmospheric Sciences Research Center

ETEC Building, 1220 Washington Ave., Room 394
Albany, NY 12226
United States

Phone
518-437-8700
Fax
518-437-8714
Office Hours
Atmospheric Sciences Research Center logo (1961)

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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