View east across the Salt Lake Valley to the Wasatch Mountains. Salt Lake City is left of center with the Great Salt Lake to its left and Utah Lake farther right. Courtesy of NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission.

The Mountain Meteorology Group at the University of Utah studies the effects of mountains on weather and climate.

Our mission is to foster an interdisciplinary research and educational program aimed at improving understanding and prediction of weather and climate processes in regions of complex terrain, with particular attention to ecological, water resource and air quality issues facing the increasingly urbanized western United States.

Mountains modify synoptic-scale winds and create their own smaller-scale wind systems. They influence precipitation patterns and cause the formation of clouds not seen over flat terrain. Climate changes as elevation increases, and micro-climates form in the deep canyons and on exposed slopes and ridges, affecting hydrology and plant and animal life.

The study of mountain weather and climate leads to a better understanding of the atmosphere, improved forecasts, insights into hydrological and air quality issues, improved aviation safety and more effective wildfire management.

The University of Utah's Mountain Meteorology Group (see below) includes all Meteorology Department staff and students working on mountain meteorology topics. The students are guided by Professors Horel, Steenburgh and Whiteman.

Mountain Meteorology Group, Summer 2006. From left to right: Prof. John Horel, Dave Myrick, Leigh Jones, Maura Hahnenberger, Greg West, Dan Tyndall, Prof. Jim Steenburgh, Nicole Schiffer, Prof. Dave Whiteman, Dr. Sebastian Hoch, Michael Olsen, Jonathan Wofsy, Colby Neuman, Forrest Wrenn, and Erik Crosman. Missing: Brian Olsen, Judy Pechmann, and Kyle Van Peursem.