new swirll render

A new rendering of the SWIRLL building at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Groundbreaking has been set for July 15. (Submitted drawing)

-- The SWIRLL will touch down in Huntsville on July 15.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville will hold a formal groundbreaking for the Severe Weather Institute Radar and Lightning Laboratory on the west side of campus in a ceremony July 15 at 3 p.m.

A

that will be constructed adjacent to the National Space Science Technology Center off Sparkman Drive, the SWIRLL will enhance the study of its education and research capabilities in severe weather and atmospheric science, the school said in the announcement on the groundbreaking.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has approved a $7 million budget for the project.

"With Alabama suffering from frequent outbreaks of severe weather from North Alabama to the coast, research into this discipline is crucial to our state and the nation, and UAH research can help mitigate the impact of these storms through improved detection and forecasting," the school said.

"The university's atmospheric science program is ranked among the top 10 in the nation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education."

Updated today, July 2, 2013, at 11:49 p.m. with the latest rendering of the SWIRLL building.