Attention:

Northern Vermont University is now part of Vermont State University! Please visit VermontState.edu for accurate information.

Vermont State University logo

Northern Vermont University will join with Castleton University and Vermont Technical College to become Vermont State University on July 1, 2023.

Visit VermontState.edu to learn more about Atmospheric Sciences for fall 2023.

Learn More and Apply

Make your impact with an atmospheric sciences degree from Northern Vermont University.

NVU-Lyndon’s nationally renowned atmospheric sciences program offers motivated students with a passion for meteorology, weather, and climate the opportunity to learn from experts and graduate with a degree that opens doors.

Recent graduates have gone on to work at organizations like The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and WeatherNation, while others have obtained paid opportunities to pursue graduate school in top meteorology programs around the nation. You’ll finish the program prepared to work in a variety of careers and can focus your studies by pursuing a concentration in broadcasting, climate change, graduate school, private industry, or the National Weather Service/military.

The atmospheric sciences curriculum is updated frequently​ to keep pace with developments in science as well as evolving career opportunities. For example, climate change is now incorporated into the core atmospheric sciences courses as a degree requirement. This prepares our graduates to be leading meteorologists, ready to address climate change whether in graduate school, as broadcast meteorologists, or research scientists.​ Interested in a degree in climate change science? View the full climate change science degree here.

Visit the Lyndon ATM Department Website Related Degree Program: Climate Change Science

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

As a Lyndon ATM student, you’ll enhance the knowledge you gain from your coursework with hands-on, real-world experience with internships, professional development opportunities, and more.

Atmospheric sciences majors who select the broadcast career concentration work with our on-campus TV studio for live on-air experience in conjunction with our Digital Communications Department.

Over half of our juniors and seniors have participated in paid forecasting internships within our Vermont Institute of Applied Meteorology (VIAM). They provide operational winter weather forecast support to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans).

You’ll also engage in professional activities, building your network of peers early. Atmospheric science students regularly attend and present at national conferences such as the American Meteorological Society and American Geophysical Union annual meetings. They also conduct research projects with faculty. Students are working to better predict power outages ahead of wet snow and ice storms, learning how shortwave radiation has been changing in the Northeastern U.S., and using regional climate models to understand how climate change will impact regional weather.

NVU-Lyndon’s student chapter of The American Meteorological Society/National Weather Association is an award-winning, student-run club which organizes fundraisers, hikes, and social gatherings. The club also hosts the annual Northeastern Storm Conference, the largest and longest-running student-organized event in the nation.

A closeup of a blond woman's face. She's smiling brightly and holding a work badge up to the camera.

Camryn Kruger: Internship at Santa Rosa County Emergency Management in Florida

Atmospheric Sciences major Camryn Kruger spent the summer working for Santa Rosa County Emergency Management in Florida. During her internship, she had the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day operations of an emergency management center and even participated in an activation training day. Camryn learned emergency management software and engaged with GIS professionals. She also worked on a project with the National Weather Service to improve lightning safety at regional golf courses. According to Camryn, this was a priceless opportunity that provided opportunities to network with people in various weather sectors including government, broadcast, and military.

A young brown haired man standing in front of a News 2 ABC sign.

Matt Condon: Internship at WKRN News 2 in Nashville

Matt Condon, a third-year student in the department, spent his summer working with the meteorologists at WKRN News 2 in Nashville. During his internship, he forecasted the weather for Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, updated the weather graphics for the newscasts, published content for the social media pages of the meteorologists, and practiced presenting the forecast in front of the green screen. Matt was even able to help behind the scenes during severe weather outbreaks. On the very first night of his internship, he relayed damage reports to Chief Meteorologist Danielle Breezy as she warned people about a possible tornado in Clarksville, TN.

A young woman standing in front of a board that contain weather data. She is wearing a red dress.

Gabrielle Brown: Internship in Climate and Space Science Observation (PICASSO) at the University of Michigan

Atmospheric Sciences junior Gabrielle Brown participated in the NSF-funded Program in Climate and Space Science Observation (PICASSO) at the University of Michigan. She researched the impact of climatological base period choice on the communication of climate trends. Gabrielle evaluated temperature and precipitation anomalies given different climate normals in the Great Lakes region. Throughout this internship, she worked closely with her faculty mentor, the organization GLISA, graduate students, and other undergraduate participants. The internship concluded with a research poster symposium. “This research experience was an amazing opportunity,” Gabrielle said. “It allowed me to not only get an idea for what the research field is, but to also network with many different people and focus what I may want to do as a career in the future!”

A female student is speaking to a group of onlookers about her poster board presentation.

Northeastern Storm Conference

Featuring over 300 students and professionals from a wide variety of institutions around the northeast and beyond, the annual, student-run Northeastern Storm Conference allows its attendees to present their newest research in the field of atmospheric sciences to their fellow colleagues. Learn more about the conference on the Lyndon AMS and NWA chapter website.

A large snowplow removes snow on a road, a pickup truck follows, trees and hills in the background.

Vermont Institute of Applied Meteorology

The Vermont Institute of Applied Meteorology (VIAM) gives ATM students the chance to put their education into real-world practice. They conduct research, create forecasts, and communicate with clients. The longest-running VIAM project is operational winter weather forecast support to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). Learn more.

A male speaks to a group of young onlookers at The Climate Consensus.

Climate Consensus

The Climate Consensus group was established in 2014 by Lyndon students and faculty to teach undergraduate students about effective ways to communicate basic climate change science to non-scientists and improve public understanding of climate change science and the consensus gap, moving us toward a more sustainable future. Learn more about the group and its work here.

FACILITIES

Atmospheric sciences students at our gorgeous, hilltop NVU-Lyndon campus get hands-on training in our modern facilities. We have a weather deck with an excellent view for observing the weather and launching weather balloons. We also have dedicated computer lab and research space for atmospheric sciences students.

A group of students stand on an observation deck, a female student holds a weather balloon.

John Marshall Observation Deck

Our observation deck, close to our atmospheric sciences classrooms, provides 360-degree views and is an ideal location to observe weather and launch weather balloons.

A young man looks at a weather map in a classroom.

The Donald and Carmella Dalton Weather Center

The Donald and Carmella Dalton Weather Center, which students may access for research at any time,  contains four 40″ monitors that display latest conditions, radar, satellite, and model forecasts, as well as climate data.

A young man with a beard, smiling, looking at camera, with video recording equipment and weather map in background.

Broadcasting Studio

Students in the broadcast concentration have access to the Electronic Journalism Arts (EJA) department’s facilities, which includes WSI Max weather graphics computers (the same as TV stations) and EJA’s full television studio. Students create daily live broadcasts, available on News 7’s Facebook page.

CONCENTRATIONS

Atmospheric Sciences/ Meteorology
Broadcasting
Concentration Details
Location:
Lyndon
Program Options:
Concentration
Atmospheric Sciences/ Meteorology
Climate Change
Concentration Details
Location:
Lyndon
Program Options:
Concentration
Atmospheric Sciences/ Meteorology
Graduate School
Concentration Details
Location:
Lyndon
Program Options:
Concentration
Atmospheric Sciences/ Meteorology
National Weather Service/Military
Concentration Details
Location:
Lyndon
Program Options:
Concentration
Atmospheric Sciences/ Meteorology
Private Industry
Concentration Details
Location:
Lyndon
Program Options:
Concentration

OUR FACULTY

The Northern Vermont  University-Lyndon Atmospheric Sciences Department faculty care about your success. We’re here to support, guide, and advise you as you pursue your educational and career goals.

Jason Kaiser
Data Systems Administrator
802.626.6685
Phone
More...
Janel Hanrahan
Associate Professor, Chair
802.626.6370
Phone
More...
Aaron Preston
Assistant Professor
More...
A young man with dark hair, smiling, looking at camera, with blue background.

Choosing Lyndon was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m grateful for the many leadership and development opportunities. These helped me grow as a person and a professional.

Anthony Macari III,'16

Apply Today!

Request Information Schedule a Visit Apply