Dr. Michael Keables

Michael Keables

Associate Professor

Director, Graduate Program, Geography & the Environment

What I do

My research interests focus on synoptic climatology, particularly as related to water resources and climate change. I teach courses in climatology, meteorology and computer cartography.

Professional Biography

For more over 40 years Dr. Keables has taught a variety of physical geography and technical courses: introductory, intermediate, advanced and graduate level atmospheric science courses; graduate seminars in climatology; environmental issues; introductory physical geography; photointerpretation; remote sensing; darkroom cartography. Classes he presently teaches:
GEOG 1201 - Environmental Systems: Weather and Climate; GEOG 2020 - Computer Cartography; GEOG 3600 – Meteorology; GEOG 3610 – Climatology.

Degree(s)

  • Ph.D., University of Wisconsin- Madison, 1986
  • MS, University of Wisconsin- Madison, 1982
  • BA, University of Colorado- Boulder, 1978

Professional Affiliations

  • Association of American Geographers
  • Colorado Geographic Alliance
  • National Geographic Society
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society

Research

Dr. Keables' research interests center around climatology and water resources. Current projects underway:

* Associations between teleconnection patterns and soil water balance parameters 

* Impact of climate change on local and regional water budgets

Areas of Research

Climatology
Water Resources
climate change

Featured Publications

Keables, M. J., & Mehta, S. (2010). A Soil Water Climatology for Kansas. Great Plains Research, 20, 229-248.
Suzanne, H., & Keables, M. J. (1998). Synoptic associations of winter climate and snowfall variability in New England, USA, 1950-1992. International Journal of Climatology, 18(3), 281-298.
Keables, M. J. (1988). Spatial associations of midtropospheric circulation and Upper Mississippi River Basin hydrology. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 78, 74-92.
Keables, M. J. (1992). Spatial variability of midtropospheric circulation patterns and associated surface climate during ENSO winters. Physical Geography, 13, 331-348.

Awards

  • Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award, National Council for Geographic Education
  • Leadership Excellence Award, Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Courses, Blackboard Learn
  • Exceptional Service Award, Natural Sciences Division, University of Denver