diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index 899a28cba..02bc0ddbc 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ individual files.
 
 The changes are now listed with the most recent at the top.
 
+**November 12 2024 :: MPAS bug-fixes. Tag v11.8.5**
+
+- Fixed 2m and 10m fields not being updated - set istatus for VERTISHEIGHT 
+  and VERTISLEVEL for convert_vert_distrib_state.
+- Fixed vertical location in convert_vertical_obs to use zGridFace.
+
 **November 8 2024 :: POP initial ensemble available from GDEX. Tag v11.8.4**
 
 Documentation update:
diff --git a/conf.py b/conf.py
index 60e5f6f4c..8365db092 100644
--- a/conf.py
+++ b/conf.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 author = 'Data Assimilation Research Section'
 
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags
-release = '11.8.4'
+release = '11.8.5'
 root_doc = 'index'
 
 # -- General configuration ---------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/models/mpas_atm/model_mod.f90 b/models/mpas_atm/model_mod.f90
index 2b5443af8..02e7361c7 100644
--- a/models/mpas_atm/model_mod.f90
+++ b/models/mpas_atm/model_mod.f90
@@ -4954,7 +4954,7 @@ subroutine convert_vert_distrib_state(state_handle, ens_size, location, quantity
    ! we have the vert_level and cellid - no need to call find_triangle or find_vert_indices
 
    zout(:) = vert_level
-
+   istatus(:) = 0
    if (debug > 9 .and. do_output()) then
       write(string2,'("zout_in_level for member 1:",F10.2)') zout(1)
       call error_handler(E_MSG, 'convert_vert_distrib_state',string2,source, revision, revdate)
@@ -5013,10 +5013,12 @@ subroutine convert_vert_distrib_state(state_handle, ens_size, location, quantity
    ! of the quantities should use the level centers.
    if ( ndim == 1 )  then
       zout(:) = zGridFace(1, cellid)
+      istatus(:) = 0
    else
       zout(:) = zGridCenter(vert_level, cellid)
       if ( quantity == QTY_VERTICAL_VELOCITY ) zout(:) = zGridFace(vert_level, cellid)
       if ( quantity == QTY_EDGE_NORMAL_SPEED ) zout(:) = zGridEdge(vert_level, cellid)
+      istatus(:) = 0
    endif
 
    if (debug > 9 .and. do_output()) then
@@ -5045,7 +5047,7 @@ subroutine convert_vert_distrib_state(state_handle, ens_size, location, quantity
      !  surf F, norm F:  need fullp only
      !  surf F, norm T:  need both surfp and fullp
 
-     at_surf = (ztypein == VERTISSURFACE)
+     at_surf = (ztypein == VERTISSURFACE)  !HK ztypin is set to VERTISLEVEL before entering this case statement
      do_norm = .not. no_normalization_of_scale_heights
 
      ! if normalizing pressure and we're on the surface, by definition scale height