Wendilyn Flynn

Faculty

Associate Professor

Email Wendilyn.Flynn@unco.edu
Phone (970) 351-1071
Location Ross Hall, Office 3235F
Address 501 20th St, Campus Box 100, Greeley, CO 80639

Education

PhD, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2012.
Area of Study: Atmospheric Sciences

MS, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2010.
Area of Study: Atmospheric Sciences

BS, St. Cloud State University, 2002.
Area of Study: Meteorology

AA, Rochester Community and Technical College, 1998.
Area of Study: Liberal Arts (Honors); Concurrent with High School Graduation

Professional Experience & Affiliations

Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (2018-present)

Assistant Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (2012-2018)

Research Expertise & Interests

Storm Chasing on the Great Plains – May 9-18, 2024

Dr. Flynn & Dr. Lerach are leading the 2024 offering of our biennial storm chasing course, which will include up to 12 UNCo students. In this 3 credit, 10 day course, students have a chance to observe the atmosphere with all our senses on this immersive, intensive field experience. Contact Dr. Flynn for more information.

Mesoscale Meteorology and Land Surface – Atmosphere Interaction

Dr. Flynn’s research interests follow a theme of mesoscale meteorology, from modeling perspectives to remotely-sensed and in-situ observations. Her current work focuses on mesoscale precipitation patterns in mountainous regions of western Mexico and western India. She is keenly interested in the impacts of local land surface features such as soil moisture heterogeneity and terrain on local precipitation patterns. Though most of her work involves modeling with the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF), field work is also an important component of her research as in-situ observations are always needed to ensure model simulations reflect realistic conditions.

Education Research

Dr. Flynn is part of a collaborative group working toward increasing visibility of, and participation in, Atmospheric Science Education Research (ASER) and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in atmospheric sciences. She has ongoing projects focusing on metacognitive teaching strategies and teaching atmospheric dynamics, and has facilitated faculty workshops in this area.

Collaborative Research: Short-Term Immersive Experience for Atmospheric Science Undergraduates for Community-Building and Retention (Revision)

Made substantial changes to our 2022 NSF proposal for resubmission in March 2023 to NSF:GEOPAths. Will consider major revisions again, or reimagine project, pending reviews.

Helping Undergraduate Meteorology Students Build Self-Efficacy and Become More Self-directed Learners
Investigating Local Hydrometeorology and Land Surface – Atmosphere Interactions along the Front Range and High Plains
Meta-analyses of recent ASER literature: Searching for Common Themes and Strategizing Future Directions
Teaching Dynamic Meteorology

Publications

  • Flynn, W. J., C. Kirkpatrick, D. Kopacz, D. LaDue, L. Maudlin, and P. McNeal: AMS Support of Education Research in the Atmospheric Sciences? An Overview of Recent Activity and Recommendations for Moving Forward. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (2024, in preparation as Inbox Article).
  • Barlow, M., C. Davenport, W. J. Flynn, Z. Handlos, A. Klees, and E. Mullens, How do we teach atmospheric dynamics to undergraduates, and how can we improve? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (2024, in preparation).
  • Handlos, Z., S. Bennett, W. J. Flynn, K. Goebbert, A. Lopez Lang, J. Ogren, A. Praino, S. Nesbitt, A. Srock, and L. White, Revising the AMS Bachelor’s Degree Statement to Best Prepare Undergraduates for the Rapidly Evolving Workforce. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (2024, in preparation as 45 Beacon Article).
  • McNeal, P., W. Flynn, C. Kirkpatrick, D. Kopacz, D. LaDue, and L. Maudlin: How Undergraduates Learn Atmospheric Science: Characterizing the Current Body of Research. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 2022.
  • Kopacz, D., L. C. Maudlin, W. J. Flynn, Z. Handlos, S. Gill, and A. T. Hirsch, Involvement in and Perception of Atmospheric Science Education Research. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 2021.
  • Flynn, W. J., S. W. Nesbitt, A. M. Anders, and P. Garg, Mesoscale precipitation characteristics near the Western Ghats during the Indian Summer Monsoon as simulated by a high-resolution regional model, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 2017.
  • Flynn, W. J. Flynn, R. Tanamachi, J. Oehrlein, Z. J. Handlos, R. H. Humphrey, and S. C. Petitto, Thinking About Thinking: How is Metacognitive Development Fostered in Undergraduate Atmospheric Science Programs? 33rd Conference on Education, AMS 104th Annual Meeting, 2024. (Oral Presentation)
  • Handlos, Z., S. Bennett, W. J. Flynn, K. Goebbert, A. L. Lang, J. Ogren, A. Praino, S. Nesbitt, A. Srock, and L. White, The AMS Bachelor’s Degree in Atmospheric Sciences Statement – Summarizing the Final Draft and Considerations for the Next Update Cycle. 33rd Conference on Education, AMS 104th Annual Meeting, 2024. (Oral Presentation)
  • Barlow, M., C. Davenport, W. J. Flynn, Z. Handlos, A. Klees, and E. Mullens, What Does a Modern Atmospheric Dynamics Course Look Like? Part I: Course Content, 32nd Conference on Education, AMS 103rd Annual Meeting, 2023. (Oral Presentation)
  • Barlow, M., C. Davenport, W. J. Flynn, Z. Handlos, A. Klees, and E. Mullens, What Does a Modern Atmospheric Dynamics Course Look Like? Part II: What Does a Modern Atmospheric Dynamics Course Look Like? Part II: Curricula and Assessments, 32nd Conference on Education, AMS 103rd Annual Meeting, 2023.
  • Handlos, Z., S. Bennett, W. J. Flynn, K. Goebbert, A. Lopez Lang, J. Ogren, A. Praino, S. Nesbitt, A. Srock, and L. White, Revising the AMS Bachelor’s Degree Statement to Best Prepare Undergraduates for the Rapidly Evolving Workforce, 32nd Conference on Education, AMS 103rd Annual Meeting, 2023.
  • Barlow, M., C. Davenport, W. J. Flynn, Z. Handlos, A. Klees, and E. Mullens, How Can We Make Teaching Atmospheric Dynamics More Dynamic?, 31st Conference on Education, AMS 102nd Annual Meeting, 2022. (Oral Presentation)
  • Flynn, W. J., P. McNeal, D. LaDue, D. Kopacz, L. Maudlin, C. Kirkpatrick, Taking the Pulse of Atmospheric Science Education Research in Undergraduate Contexts, 30th Conference on Education, AMS 101st Annual Meeting, 2021. (Oral Presentation)
  • Chastang, J., D. Delane, W. J. Flynn, K. H. Goebbert, and J. T. Potemra, Assisting University Earth Science Programs Transition to Online Learning With Computational Notebooks, 30th Conference on Education, AMS 101st Annual Meeting, 2021.
  • Flynn. W. J., Increasing Self-Efficacy By Helping Students Become Self-Regulated Learners in Sophomore and Junior Level Meteorology Courses, 29th Conference on Education, AMS 100th Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 2020. (Oral Presentation)
  • Kopacz, D., W. J. Flynn, L. C. Maudlin, Z. Handlos, S. Gill, and A. T. Hirsch, Recommendations for Improving Teaching and Learning in Atmospheric Science Through Research, 29th Conference on Education, AMS 100th Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 2020.
  • Kopacz, D., L. C. Maudlin, S. Gill, Z. Handlos, W. J. Flynn, and A. T. Hirsch, Building an Atmospheric Science Education Research Community: Past, Present, and Future, AMS 28th Conference on Education, 99th Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 2019.
  • Swarndeep G., D. Kopacz, L. C. Maudlin, W. J. Flynn, Z. Handlos, and A. T. Hirsch, Involvement in and Perception of Education Research in the Discipline of Atmospheric Science, 28th Conference on Education, 99th Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 2019.
  • Flynn, W. J., S. W. Nesbitt, A. M. Anders, and P. Garg, On the Diurnal Cycle of Rainfall Near the Western Ghats during the Indian Summer Monsoon: Influences of the Low-Level Atmosphere and Land Surface, Peter J. Webster Symposium, 98th AMS Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, 2018.
  • Flynn, W. J., Cloud Identification Exercise, 27th Symposium on Education, 98th AMS Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, 2018.
  • Flynn, W. J., Implementation of MetPy in Meteorological Case Studies in Undergraduate Courses, Unidata Triennial Workshop, Boulder, CO, 2018.
  • Ellis, T. D., C. J. Shellito, J. A. Knox, D. Kopacz, and W. J. Flynn, Building Community for Teacher-Scholars in Atmospheric Science Education, 26th Symposium on Education, 97th AMS Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2017.
  • Flynn, W. J., Orographic Controls on Precipitation Along the Western Ghats during the Indian Summer Monsoon, 17th Conference on Mountain Meteorology, AMS, Burlington, VT, 2016.
  • Flynn, W. J., Chasing Storms: The Front Range Doppler on Wheels Field Project, 7th Annual UNC Teaching and Learning Fair, Greeley, CO, 2016.

Grants and Sponsored Research

  • Flynn, W., “Atmospheric Science Education Research (ASER) Travel Award,” Sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Other. (February 2023 – Present).