William R. Cotton, PhD.

Professor Emeritus

Atmospheric Science


Fields of Expertise

Climate Science, Snow Hydrology

Areas of Interest

Mesoscale meteorology, Numerical modeling, Cloud physics and dynamics


Biography

Professor Cotton was appointed to the academic faculty at Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science in 1974. He is now Emeritus Professor. Dr. Cotton has been actively involved in observation and computer simulation of cumulus clouds and thunderstorms as well as other intermediate-scale cloud systems. His current interests are largely in the area of observation and modeling of larger clusters of thunderstorms that occur preferentially at night over the central U.S., the simulation of severe thunderstorms including tornadoes, hail, severe winds and heavy rainfall. He focuses on aerosol(aerosol pollution and dust) impacts on clouds, storms(including hurricanes), and climate.