SWIRLL celebrates 10 years of life-saving weather research, addition of key meteorological capability

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (OCT. 18, 2024) – The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), part of The University of Alabama system, marked the 10th anniversary of the Severe Weather Institute – Radar and Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL) with a celebration on Oct. 18. The event provided attendees a unique opportunity to tour the SWIRLL facility, view its weather trucks and other advanced technology, and learn about its critical contributions to weather forecasting, research, and public safety.

A highlight of the event was the introduction of a key addition to SWIRLL's research capabilities. With the integration of the Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) team, UAH now boasts the largest and most comprehensive mobile radar and observing facility in the U.S.

Leading the FARM initiative are Dr. Josh Wurman and Dr. Karen Kosiba, prominent scientists with extensive experience in severe weather research and radar technology innovation. "With the world-class expertise of Drs. Wurman and Kosiba along with UAH's considerable infrastructure and scientists, UAH is set to be a leader in the next generation of high-impact weather research," says Dr. John Christy, Earth System Science Center (ESSC) Director.

"The addition of the FARM facility marks a monumental milestone for UAH, establishing it as the largest and most comprehensive mobile radar, profiler, and observing facility in the United States," says Dr. Kevin Knupp, principal research scientist at UAH. "This addition makes UAH a clear leader in meteorological field research."

Part of the Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at UAH, the SWIRLL facility is an essential resource for educational initiatives, student research, and extensive weather projects. Its strategic location in the Southeast allows it to serve as a central hub for weather-related experiments, significantly enhancing data collection and research capabilities. With the integration of the FARM systems, SWIRLL will expand its regular operations into the Great Plains and Midwest – further strengthening its role in advancing meteorological research across broader regions.

"Since its founding in 2014, SWIRLL has been at the forefront of meteorological research, giving our students the chance to work directly with top meteorologists and atmospheric scientists while contributing to weather preparedness across Alabama and the broader Southeast," said Dr. Chuck Karr, UAH President. "I am excited to see how this furthers UAH's already robust earth and atmospheric science research capabilities."