Cloud Computing in Atmospheric Science Education

As educational technology infuses higher education, many universities are turning to cloud-hosted learning management systems (LMSs) that connect student databases with learning content. Cloud computing is also a viable option for numerical modeling, data storage and visualization, facilitating collaboration with other scientists. Cloud computing is an affordable resource that enables fast processing, large data storage capacity and the sharing of resources. It offers scientists flexibility, ease of data management, research repeatability and collaboration while minimizing maintenance requirements. The benefits offered by cloud computing far outweigh the challenges introduced by using this emerging technological resource. We demonstrate these benefits through a successful cloud computing instance achieved in a collaboration between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Unidata.