diff --git a/mslib/_tests/test_thermolib.py b/mslib/_tests/test_thermolib.py
index 8e5f05844..a33c9360f 100644
--- a/mslib/_tests/test_thermolib.py
+++ b/mslib/_tests/test_thermolib.py
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 import pytest
-from metpy.units import units
 
+from mslib.utils.units import units
 import mslib.thermolib as tl
 
 
diff --git a/mslib/msui/flighttrack.py b/mslib/msui/flighttrack.py
index c6b6bdc78..6f20f36bd 100755
--- a/mslib/msui/flighttrack.py
+++ b/mslib/msui/flighttrack.py
@@ -41,10 +41,11 @@
 import fs
 import xml.dom.minidom
 import xml.parsers.expat
-from metpy.units import units
 
-from mslib.msui.mss_qt import variant_to_string, variant_to_float
 from PyQt5 import QtGui, QtCore, QtWidgets
+
+from mslib.msui.mss_qt import variant_to_string, variant_to_float
+from mslib.utils.units import units
 from mslib import utils, __version__
 from mslib import thermolib
 from mslib.utils import config_loader, find_location, save_settings_qsettings, load_settings_qsettings
diff --git a/mslib/msui/mpl_pathinteractor.py b/mslib/msui/mpl_pathinteractor.py
index 6f18661e9..19d606333 100644
--- a/mslib/msui/mpl_pathinteractor.py
+++ b/mslib/msui/mpl_pathinteractor.py
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@
 import datetime
 import matplotlib.path as mpath
 import matplotlib.patches as mpatches
-from metpy.units import units
 from PyQt5 import QtCore, QtWidgets
+from mslib.utils.units import units
 from mslib.utils import get_distance, find_location, path_points, latlon_points
 from mslib.thermolib import pressure2flightlevel
 
diff --git a/mslib/msui/mpl_qtwidget.py b/mslib/msui/mpl_qtwidget.py
index 32fc3e78f..330de2d73 100644
--- a/mslib/msui/mpl_qtwidget.py
+++ b/mslib/msui/mpl_qtwidget.py
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@
 import logging
 import numpy as np
 import matplotlib
-from metpy.units import units
 from fs import open_fs
 from fslib.fs_filepicker import getSaveFileNameAndFilter
 from matplotlib import cbook, figure
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_qt5agg import NavigationToolbar2QT, FigureCanvasQTAgg
 import matplotlib.backend_bases
+from mslib.utils.units import units
 from mslib import thermolib
 from mslib.utils import config_loader, FatalUserError
 from mslib.msui import mpl_pathinteractor as mpl_pi
diff --git a/mslib/msui/sideview.py b/mslib/msui/sideview.py
index 02b29c9d9..8d1240b24 100644
--- a/mslib/msui/sideview.py
+++ b/mslib/msui/sideview.py
@@ -28,9 +28,11 @@
 
 import logging
 import functools
-from metpy.units import units
-from mslib.utils import config_loader, save_settings_qsettings, load_settings_qsettings, convert_to
+
 from PyQt5 import QtGui, QtWidgets
+
+from mslib.utils.units import units, convert_to
+from mslib.utils import config_loader, save_settings_qsettings, load_settings_qsettings
 from mslib.msui.mss_qt import ui_sideview_window as ui
 from mslib.msui.mss_qt import ui_sideview_options as ui_opt
 from mslib.msui.viewwindows import MSSMplViewWindow
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/_tests/test_utils.py b/mslib/mswms/_tests/test_utils.py
index 65ac01339..95be67e00 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/_tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/_tests/test_utils.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-from mslib.utils import UR
+from mslib.utils.units import units
 from mslib.mswms.utils import Targets
 
 
 def test_targets():
     for standard_name in Targets.get_targets():
         unit = Targets.get_unit(standard_name)
-        UR(unit[0])  # ensure that the unit may be parsed
+        units(unit[0])  # ensure that the unit may be parsed
         assert unit[1] == 1  # no conversion outside pint!
         Targets.get_range(standard_name)
         Targets.get_thresholds(standard_name)
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/dataaccess.py b/mslib/mswms/dataaccess.py
index c4810259e..6c79a29ad 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/dataaccess.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/dataaccess.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 import pint
 
 from mslib import netCDF4tools
-from mslib.utils import UR
+from mslib.utils.units import units
 
 
 class NWPDataAccess(metaclass=ABCMeta):
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ def _parse_file(self, filename):
                         continue
                     if ncvar.standard_name != "time":
                         try:
-                            UR(ncvar.units)
+                            units(ncvar.units)
                         except (AttributeError, ValueError, pint.UndefinedUnitError, pint.DefinitionSyntaxError):
                             logging.error("Skipping variable '%s' in file '%s': unparseable units attribute '%s'",
                                           ncvarname, filename, ncvar.units)
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec.py b/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec.py
index 8f08f9a36..290aaf9e6 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec.py
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@
 import PIL.Image
 
 from mslib.mswms import mss_2D_sections
-from mslib.utils import get_projection_params, convert_to
+from mslib.utils import get_projection_params
+from mslib.utils.units import convert_to
 from mslib.mswms.utils import make_cbar_labels_readable
 
 
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec_styles.py b/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec_styles.py
index 1f2f038b6..8f434a043 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec_styles.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/mpl_hsec_styles.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
 from mslib.mswms.mpl_hsec import MPLBasemapHorizontalSectionStyle
 from mslib.mswms.utils import Targets, get_style_parameters, get_cbar_label_format, make_cbar_labels_readable
 from mslib import thermolib
-from mslib.utils import convert_to
+from mslib.utils.units import convert_to
 
 
 class HS_CloudsStyle_01(MPLBasemapHorizontalSectionStyle):
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec.py b/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec.py
index 210948610..70f73b3e8 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 from pint import Quantity
 
 from mslib.mswms import mss_2D_sections
-from mslib.utils import convert_to
+from mslib.utils.units import convert_to
 
 mpl.rcParams['xtick.direction'] = 'out'
 mpl.rcParams['ytick.direction'] = 'out'
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec_styles.py b/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec_styles.py
index 0dc4413c5..84318f5ec 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec_styles.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/mpl_lsec_styles.py
@@ -29,13 +29,14 @@
 
 from mslib.mswms.mpl_lsec import AbstractLinearSectionStyle
 import mslib.thermolib as thermolib
-from mslib.utils import convert_to
+from mslib.utils.units import convert_to
 
 
 class LS_DefaultStyle(AbstractLinearSectionStyle):
     """
     Style for single variables that require no further calculation
     """
+
     def __init__(self, driver, variable="air_temperature", filetype="ml"):
         super(AbstractLinearSectionStyle, self).__init__(driver=driver)
         self.variable = variable
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec.py b/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec.py
index d9ca2c17c..02190ff87 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 import mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1
 
 from mslib.mswms import mss_2D_sections
-from mslib.utils import convert_to, UR
+from mslib.utils.units import convert_to, units
 from mslib.mswms.utils import make_cbar_labels_readable
 
 mpl.rcParams['xtick.direction'] = 'out'
@@ -179,14 +179,14 @@ def plot_vsection(self, data, lats, lons, valid_time, init_time,
 
         # Provide an air_pressured 2-D field in 'Pa' from vertical axis
         if (("air_pressure" not in self.data) and
-                UR(self.driver.vert_units).check("[pressure]")):
+                units(self.driver.vert_units).check("[pressure]")):
             self.data_units["air_pressure"] = "Pa"
             self.data["air_pressure"] = convert_to(
                 self.driver.vert_data[::-self.driver.vert_order, np.newaxis],
                 self.driver.vert_units, self.data_units["air_pressure"]).repeat(
                     len(self.lats), axis=1)
         if (("air_potential_temperature" not in self.data) and
-                UR(self.driver.vert_units).check("[temperature]")):
+                units(self.driver.vert_units).check("[temperature]")):
             self.data_units["air_potential_temperature"] = "K"
             self.data["air_potential_temperature"] = convert_to(
                 self.driver.vert_data[::-self.driver.vert_order, np.newaxis],
diff --git a/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec_styles.py b/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec_styles.py
index 99233ed93..2784c1552 100644
--- a/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec_styles.py
+++ b/mslib/mswms/mpl_vsec_styles.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 
 from mslib.mswms.mpl_vsec import AbstractVerticalSectionStyle
 from mslib.mswms.utils import Targets, get_style_parameters, get_cbar_label_format, make_cbar_labels_readable
-from mslib.utils import convert_to
+from mslib.utils.units import convert_to
 from mslib import thermolib
 
 
diff --git a/mslib/thermolib.py b/mslib/thermolib.py
index 2f6823566..172168f1d 100644
--- a/mslib/thermolib.py
+++ b/mslib/thermolib.py
@@ -29,11 +29,13 @@
 import numpy
 import scipy.integrate
 import logging
+
+from mslib.utils.units import units, check_units
+
 from metpy.package_tools import Exporter
 from metpy.constants import Rd, g
 from metpy.xarray import preprocess_and_wrap
 import metpy.calc as mpcalc
-from metpy.units import units, check_units
 
 exporter = Exporter(globals())
 
diff --git a/mslib/utils.py b/mslib/utils/__init__.py
similarity index 94%
rename from mslib/utils.py
rename to mslib/utils/__init__.py
index b54d17e19..e7ee8bdf2 100644
--- a/mslib/utils.py
+++ b/mslib/utils/__init__.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """
 
-    mslib.mss_util
+    mslib.utils
     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
     Collection of utility routines for the Mission Support System.
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@
 import logging
 import netCDF4 as nc
 import numpy as np
-from metpy.units import units
 import os
-import pint
 from fs import open_fs, errors
 from scipy.interpolate import interp1d
 from scipy.ndimage import map_coordinates
@@ -52,54 +50,11 @@
     import pyproj
 
 from mslib.msui import constants, MissionSupportSystemDefaultConfig
+from mslib.utils.units import units as _units
 from mslib.thermolib import pressure2flightlevel
 from PyQt5 import QtCore, QtWidgets, QtGui
 from mslib.msui.constants import MSS_CONFIG_PATH
 
-UR = units
-UR.define("PVU = 10^-6 m^2 s^-1 K kg^-1")
-UR.define("degrees_north = degrees")
-UR.define("degrees_south = -degrees")
-UR.define("degrees_east = degrees")
-UR.define("degrees_west = -degrees")
-
-UR.define("degrees_N = degrees")
-UR.define("degrees_S = -degrees")
-UR.define("degrees_E = degrees")
-UR.define("degrees_W = -degrees")
-
-UR.define("degreesN = degrees")
-UR.define("degreesS = -degrees")
-UR.define("degreesE = degrees")
-UR.define("degreesW = -degrees")
-
-UR.define("degree_north = degrees")
-UR.define("degree_south = -degrees")
-UR.define("degree_east = degrees")
-UR.define("degree_west = -degrees")
-
-UR.define("degree_N = degrees")
-UR.define("degree_S = -degrees")
-UR.define("degree_E = degrees")
-UR.define("degree_W = -degrees")
-
-UR.define("degreeN = degrees")
-UR.define("degreeS = -degrees")
-UR.define("degreeE = degrees")
-UR.define("degreeW = -degrees")
-
-UR.define("fraction = [] = frac")
-UR.define("sigma = 1 fraction")
-UR.define("level = sigma")
-UR.define("percent = 1e-2 fraction")
-UR.define("permille = 1e-3 fraction")
-UR.define("ppm = 1e-6 fraction")
-UR.define("ppmv = 1e-6 fraction")
-UR.define("ppb = 1e-9 fraction")
-UR.define("ppbv = 1e-9 fraction")
-UR.define("ppt = 1e-12 fraction")
-UR.define("pptv = 1e-12 fraction")
-
 
 def parse_iso_datetime(string):
     try:
@@ -311,10 +266,6 @@ def rotate_point(point, angle, origin=(0, 0)):
     return temp_point
 
 
-def convertHPAToKM(press):
-    return (288.15 / 0.0065) * (1. - (press / 1013.25) ** (1. / 5.255)) / 1000.
-
-
 def get_projection_params(proj):
     proj = proj.lower()
     if proj.startswith("crs:"):
@@ -611,33 +562,13 @@ def convert_pressure_to_vertical_axis_measure(vertical_axis, pressure):
     if vertical_axis == "pressure":
         return float(pressure / 100)
     elif vertical_axis == "flight level":
-        return pressure2flightlevel(pressure * units.Pa).magnitude
+        return pressure2flightlevel(pressure * _units.Pa).magnitude
     elif vertical_axis == "pressure altitude":
-        return pressure2flightlevel(pressure * units.Pa).to(units.km).magnitude
+        return pressure2flightlevel(pressure * _units.Pa).to(_units.km).magnitude
     else:
         return pressure
 
 
-def convert_to(value, from_unit, to_unit, default=1.):
-    try:
-        value_unit = UR.Quantity(value, from_unit)
-        result = value_unit.to(to_unit).magnitude
-    except pint.UndefinedUnitError:
-        logging.error("Error in unit conversion (undefined) '%s'/'%s'", from_unit, to_unit)
-        result = value * default
-    except pint.DimensionalityError:
-        if UR(to_unit).to_base_units().units == UR.m:
-            try:
-                result = (value_unit / UR.Quantity(9.81, "m s^-2")).to(to_unit).magnitude
-            except pint.DimensionalityError:
-                logging.error("Error in unit conversion (dimensionality) %s/%s", from_unit, to_unit)
-                result = value * default
-        else:
-            logging.error("Error in unit conversion (dimensionality) %s/%s", from_unit, to_unit)
-            result = value * default
-    return result
-
-
 def setup_logging(args):
     logger = logging.getLogger()
     # this is necessary as "someone" has already initialized logging, preventing basicConfig from doing stuff
@@ -957,6 +888,7 @@ class NonQtCallback:
     Callbacks are run on the same thread as the caller of emit, as opposed to the caller of connect.
     Keep in mind if this causes issues.
     """
+
     def __init__(self):
         self.callbacks = []
 
@@ -1192,10 +1124,11 @@ def update_airspace(force_download=False, countries=["de"]):
         is_outdated = file_exists and (time.time() - os.path.getmtime(location)) > 60 * 60 * 24 * 30
 
         if (force_download or is_outdated or not file_exists) \
-                and QtWidgets.QMessageBox.question(None, "Allow download",
-                                                   f"The selected {country} airspace needs to be downloaded ({data[-1]})"
-                                                   f"\nIs now a good time?",
-                                                   QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Yes | QtWidgets.QMessageBox.No) \
+                and QtWidgets.QMessageBox.question(
+                    None, "Allow download",
+                    f"The selected {country} airspace needs to be downloaded ({data[-1]})"
+                    f"\nIs now a good time?",
+                    QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Yes | QtWidgets.QMessageBox.No) \
                 == QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Yes:
             download_progress(location, url)
 
diff --git a/mslib/_tests/test_convert.py b/mslib/utils/_tests/test_units.py
similarity index 61%
rename from mslib/_tests/test_convert.py
rename to mslib/utils/_tests/test_units.py
index 55da9cb72..372bb7eea 100644
--- a/mslib/_tests/test_convert.py
+++ b/mslib/utils/_tests/test_units.py
@@ -27,7 +27,36 @@
 """
 
 import pytest
-from mslib.utils import convert_to
+from mslib.utils.units import convert_to, units
+
+
+def test_units():
+    assert units("10 degree_north").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("10 degrees_north").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("10 degreeN").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("10 degree_N").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degree_south").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degrees_south").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degreeS").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degree_S").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("10 degree_east").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("10 degrees_east").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("10 degreeE").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("10 degree_E").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degree_west").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degrees_west").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degreeW").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("-10 degree_W").to("degree").m == 10
+    assert units("1 percent"). to("dimensionless").m == 0.01
+    assert units("1 permille"). to("dimensionless").m == 0.001
+    assert units("1 ppm"). to("dimensionless").m == pytest.approx(1e-6)
+    assert units("1 ppb"). to("dimensionless").m == pytest.approx(1e-9)
+    assert units("1 ppt"). to("dimensionless").m == pytest.approx(1e-12)
+    assert units("1 ppmv"). to("dimensionless").m == pytest.approx(1e-6)
+    assert units("1 ppbv"). to("dimensionless").m == pytest.approx(1e-9)
+    assert units("1 pptv"). to("dimensionless").m == pytest.approx(1e-12)
+
+    assert units("1 PVU").to_base_units().m == pytest.approx(units("1E-6 m^2 s^-1 K kg^-1").to_base_units().m)
 
 
 def test_convert_to():
diff --git a/mslib/_tests/test_utils.py b/mslib/utils/_tests/tests.py
similarity index 99%
rename from mslib/_tests/test_utils.py
rename to mslib/utils/_tests/tests.py
index 8b9648c23..e1de87d79 100644
--- a/mslib/_tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/mslib/utils/_tests/tests.py
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ class TestConfigLoader(object):
     """
     tests config file for client
     """
+
     def teardown(self):
         if fs.open_fs(MSS_CONFIG_PATH).exists("mss_settings.json"):
             fs.open_fs(MSS_CONFIG_PATH).remove("mss_settings.json")
@@ -252,10 +253,6 @@ def test_rotate_point(self):
 
 
 class TestConverter(object):
-    def test_convert_pressure_to_altitude(self):
-        assert utils.convertHPAToKM(1013.25) == 0
-        assert int(utils.convertHPAToKM(25) * 1000) == 22415
-
     def test_convert_pressure_to_vertical_axis_measure(self):
         assert utils.convert_pressure_to_vertical_axis_measure('pressure', 10000) == 100
         assert utils.convert_pressure_to_vertical_axis_measure('flightlevel', 400) == 400
diff --git a/mslib/utils/units.py b/mslib/utils/units.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..af5e4e0b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mslib/utils/units.py
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+"""
+
+    mslib.units
+    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+    Collection of unit conversion related routines for the Mission Support System.
+
+    This file is part of mss.
+
+    :copyright: Copyright 2008-2014 Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
+    :copyright: Copyright 2011-2014 Marc Rautenhaus (mr)
+    :copyright: Copyright 2016-2021 by the mss team, see AUTHORS.
+    :license: APACHE-2.0, see LICENSE for details.
+
+    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+    you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+    You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+    WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+    limitations under the License.
+"""
+
+import logging
+
+from metpy.units import units, check_units  # noqa
+import pint
+
+units.define("PVU = m^2 s^-1 uK kg^-1")
+units.define("degrees_south = -degrees = degrees_S = degreesS = degree_south = degree_S = degreeS")
+units.define("degrees_west = -degrees = degrees_W = degreesW = degree_west = degree_W = degreeW")
+
+# Follow metpy 1.0.1 style of defining dimensionless units
+for _name, _factor in (("level", 1),
+                       ("sigma", 1),
+                       ("permille", 1e-3),
+                       ("ppm", 1e-6),
+                       ("ppmv", 1e-6),
+                       ("ppb", 1e-9),
+                       ("ppbv", 1e-9),
+                       ("ppt", 1e-12),
+                       ("pptv", 1e-12)):
+    units.define(pint.unit.UnitDefinition(_name, '', (),
+                 pint.converters.ScaleConverter(_factor)))
+
+
+def convert_to(value, from_unit, to_unit, default=1.):
+    try:
+        value_unit = units.Quantity(value, from_unit)
+        result = value_unit.to(to_unit).magnitude
+    except pint.UndefinedUnitError:
+        logging.error("Error in unit conversion (undefined) '%s'/'%s'", from_unit, to_unit)
+        result = value * default
+    except pint.DimensionalityError:
+        if units(to_unit).to_base_units().units == units.m:
+            try:
+                result = (value_unit / units.Quantity(9.81, "m s^-2")).to(to_unit).magnitude
+            except pint.DimensionalityError:
+                logging.error("Error in unit conversion (dimensionality) %s/%s", from_unit, to_unit)
+                result = value * default
+        else:
+            logging.error("Error in unit conversion (dimensionality) %s/%s", from_unit, to_unit)
+            result = value * default
+    return result