Officially commissioned in March of 2015 and home to the recently developed MAPNet facilties, SWIRLL is a core research and teaching facility that houses infrastructure and UAH faculty, staff, and who are involved in many areas of atmospheric and earth science research. After the historic tornado outbreak of April 27-28, 2011 that devastated North and Central Alabama, many eyes turned towards weather preparedness and research. That is why the state of Alabama received a $7 million grant dedicated to use state universities for severe weather research. Through this grant, the construction of SWIRLL began. SWIRLL was carefully designed to foster research and innovation. From the iconic spiral staircase in the lobby, to the high functioning, working high bay garage, the SWIRLL building features many resources that allow faculty, staff, and students the opportunity for collaboration within the department and within the weather community. Our faculty have a wide variety of interest including severe weather and boundary layer studies, lightning, atmospheric chemistry, radar meteorology, climate studies, GIS/remote sensing, data assimilation/numerical modeling, and tropical cyclones. Learn more Mobile Atmospheric Profiling Network (MAPNet) The Mobile Atmospheric Profiling Network (MAPNet) at UAH is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded requestable facility, offering advanced mobile atmospheric instruments for research. Part of the Community Instrument and Facility (CIF) suite, MAPNet provides high-resolution measurements of wind, thermodynamics, cloud base, aerosols, and precipitation from the boundary layer to the middle troposphere. With Four cutting-edge mobile platformsand a scanning X-band radar, MAPNet supports diverse studies, including severe weather, hurricanes, winter storms, and air quality research. The facility also plays a key role in STEM education and outreach, fostering learning through hands-on engagement. Learn more Advanced Radar For Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR) The Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR) is a dual-polarization C-band radar operated by UAH at Huntsville International Airport. Originally a National Weather Service radar, it was decommissioned and donated to UAH in 2002, later upgraded for advanced research applications. ARMOR supports weather monitoring, severe storm analysis, and lightning research, with real-time data accessible for operational and scientific use. Remotely controlled from SWIRLL, it remains a vital tool for atmospheric studies, maintained by UAH students and staff. Learn more The Farm The Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM), based in Colorado, is part of UAH’s SWIRLL, making UAH the largest mobile radar facility in the U.S. They expand UAH’s research reach into the Great Plains and Midwest, enhancing severe weather studies. Led by experts in mobile radar technology including Doppler on Wheels, mobile mesonets, and deployable instruments, offering groundbreaking storm research and hands-on student opportunities. Learn more 360 Roof Weather Camera Mounted on SWIRLL, the 360 Roof Weather Camera provides real-time panoramic views of the sky, supporting weather monitoring, research, and education. Learn more Map Get directions to SWIRLL Building. Google Maps