AMS Award Descriptions

1 May 2013 Deadline

Lecturers 1 October 2013 Deadline
Honorary Member 1 July 2013 Deadline

The Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal

The Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal is presented to individuals on the basis of outstanding contributions to the understanding of the structure or behavior of the atmosphere. It represents the highest honor that the Society can bestow upon an atmospheric scientist. The award is in the form of a medallion. Nominations are considered by the Atmospheric Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Jule G. Charney Award is granted to individuals in recognition of highly significant research or development achievement in the atmospheric or hydrologic sciences. The award is in the form of a medallion. Nominations are considered by the Atmospheric Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Verner E. Suomi Award is granted to individuals in recognition of highly significant technological achievement in the atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. The term "technological" is here used in the broadest sense; it encompasses the entire spectrum of observational, measurement, data transmission, and data analysis and synthesis methodologies. The award is in the form of a medallion. Nominations are considered by the Atmospheric Research Awards Committee in even-numbered years and by the Oceanographic Research Awards Committee in odd-numbered years, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Sverdrup Gold Medal is granted to researchers who make outstanding contributions to the scientific knowledge of interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere. The award is in the form of a medallion. Nominations are considered by the Oceanographic Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Henry Stommel Research Award is granted to researchers in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of the understanding of the dynamics and physics of the ocean. The award is in the form of a medallion. Nominations are considered by the Oceanographic Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Remote Sensing Prize is granted biennially to individuals in recognition of advances in the science and technology of remote sensing, and its application to knowledge of the earth, oceans, and atmosphere, and/or to the benefit of society. The award is in the form of a medallion and a check. Nominations are considered by the Atmospheric Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Charles Franklin Brooks Award for Outstanding Services to the Society is presented to an individual who has made important contributions to the Society, usually over a period of years. Nominations are considered by the Awards Oversight Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Cleveland Abbe Award for Distinguished Service to Atmospheric Sciences by an Individual is presented on the basis of activities that have materially contributed to the progress of the atmospheric or related sciences or to the application of the atmospheric or related sciences to general, social, economic, or humanitarian welfare. Nominations are considered by the Awards Oversight Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Kenneth C. Spengler Award is presented to an individual, team, or organization whose efforts have contributed to the growth of the weather and climate enterprise while materially fostering a sense of community and creating synergistic linkages between the public, private, and government sectors as well as the user community. Nominations are considered by a committee of the Weather and Climate Enterprise Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Charles E. Anderson Award is given to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions to the promotion of diversity in the atmospheric and related sciences and broader communities through education and community service. The award is in the form of an inscribed wooden book. Nominations are considered by a committee of the Education and Human Resources Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award is given to an individual in recognition of research achievement that is, at least in part, aerological in character and concerns the observation, theory, and modeling of atmospheric motions on all scales. The award is to be given to promising young or early-career scientists who have demonstrated outstanding ability. "Early career" is nominally taken to include scientists who are within ten years of having earned their highest degree or are under 40 years of age when nominated. It is intended that the Meisinger Award and the Henry G. Houghton Award between them shall embrace all facets of atmospheric research so that workers in all branches of the atmospheric sciences shall be eligible for one or the other. Nominations for the Meisinger and Houghton Awards may be pooled at the discretion of the ARA Committee (i.e. a Meisinger Award nominee may be considered for the Houghton Award and vice versa). Nominations are considered by the Atmospheric Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Henry G. Houghton Award is given to an individual in recognition of research achievement in the field of physical meteorology, including atmospheric chemistry. The award is given to promising young or early-career scientists who have demonstrated outstanding ability. "Early career" is nominally taken to include scientists who are within ten years of having earned their highest degree or are under 40 years of age when nominated. It is intended that the Meisinger Award and the Henry G. Houghton Award between them shall embrace all facets of atmospheric research so that workers in all branches of the atmospheric sciences shall be eligible for one or the other. Nominations for the Meisinger and Houghton Awards may be pooled at the discretion of the ARA Committee (i.e. a Meisinger Award nominee may be considered for the Houghton Award and vice versa). Nominations are considered by the Atmospheric Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Nicholas P. Fofonoff Award is to be given to an individual in recognition of research achievement in the field of physical oceanography. All aspects of physical oceanography are eligible, including instrument development as well as observational, theoretical, and modeling studies. The award is to be given to promising young or early-career scientists who have demonstrated outstanding ability. "Early career" is nominally taken to include scientists who are within ten years of having earned their highest degree or are under 40 years of age when nominated. Nominations are considered by the Oceanographic Research Awards Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Awards for Outstanding Service by a Weather Forecaster are presented to individuals who, through performance of exceptional forecast service, have distinguished themselves and brought credit to their profession. The Society presents the awards in recognition of the great importance of weather forecasting to the public safety and well-being, and the valuable professional services provided by persons who are engaged in forecasting activities.

Nominations are considered by a committee of the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission Committee on Weather Analysis and Forecasting which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council. The Charles L. Mitchell Award is given in recognition of long-term service by individuals engaged in weather forecasting activities.

The Awards for Outstanding Service by a Weather Forecaster are presented to individuals who, through performance of exceptional forecast service, have distinguished themselves and brought credit to their profession. The Society presents the awards in recognition of the great importance of weather forecasting to the public safety and well-being, and the valuable professional services provided by persons who are engaged in forecasting activities. Nominations are considered by a committee of the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission Committee on Weather Analysis and Forecasting which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council. The Award for an Exceptional Specific Prediction is given to one or more individuals in recognition of an exceptional prediction of one or more significant events.

The Francis W. Reichelderfer Award is given in recognition of distinguished contributions to the provision of operational environmental services to the public. Nominations are considered by the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advance of Applied Meteorology is granted to an individual for contributions to the direct application of meteorological or climatological knowledge to the fulfillment of industrial or agricultural needs or in research and development of scientific knowledge, which can meet such needs. Names of nominees are submitted to the Board for Private Sector Meteorologists with input from the Applied Climatology STAC Committee. The Board submits a recommendation to the Commissioner on Professional Affairs, who reviews the recommendation and then makes a recommendation to the Council for final approval.

The Award for Broadcast Meteorology was established in 1975 (as the award for Outstanding Service By a Broadcast Meteorologist) to recognize a broadcast meteorologist for sustained long-term contributions to the community through the broadcast media, or for outstanding work during a specific weather event. Nominations must be made in writing by an individual or group, and if possible, should be accompanied by an example(s) of the individual’s work. Such an example may be an audio/video tape of an event, or a composite tape of the individual’s career work. Single event nominations must be based on extraordinary work during a demanding weather event. Although the Award is normally intended for an individual, under special circumstances, it may be awarded in recognition of a team effort. Nominations will remain active and considered for a three-year period. Nominations are considered by the Professional Affairs Commission Board of Broadcast Meteorology, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Award for Excellence in Science Reporting by a Broadcast Meteorologist is open to all AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologists and AMS Sealholders.  The award is given for a single television report or a series that makes science material, including environmental science material, accessible and interesting to the general public.  Short pieces or in-depth stories are eligible.  The awards recognize outstanding reporting for a general audience, and honor individuals rather than institutions. The award is presented at the annual AMS Conference on Broadcast Meteorology, and is also acknowledged at the AMS Annual Meeting. Nominations remain active and considered for a one-year period. Nominations are considered by the Professional Affairs Commission Committee on the Station Scientist, which make a recommendation for final approval by AMS Council.

The Henry T. Harrison Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Consulting Meteorologist was established in 2011 to recognize a consulting meteorologist for outstanding contributions to the profession, clients, and society. Nominees should demonstrate expertise in weather or climate and their applications, adherence to ethical behavior, and a high level of service to clients and/or the weather and climate enterprise. Nominations are considered by the Board of Certified Consulting Meteorologists which makes recommendations for final approval by the AMS Council.

The Award for Distinguished Science Journalism in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences recognizes outstanding science reporting and writing about scientific discoveries, principles, advances, and impacts in all media outlets including radio, television, newspaper, magazine, and online.

The award is given for reporting that makes atmospheric and related sciences material accessible and interesting to the general public and is published or broadcast all or in part during the preceding calendar year. To be considered, each story, including those in a body of work, must go beyond routine reporting of an event, such as publication of a scientific paper, to put the event in a wider scientific context. The report or reports can be: a single article or broadcast; a series of related articles or broadcasts; or multiple unrelated articles or broadcasts, representing a reporter's recent body of work covering different topics in the atmospheric and related sciences. The award honors individuals rather than institutions. Nominations are considered by the Education and Human Resources Commission Board on Outreach and Public Education, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Biometeorology is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the theory, teaching, and/or application of knowledge about interactions between the atmosphere and biological systems. The award is presented occasionally. Nominations are considered by a committee of the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Helmut E. Landsberg Award recognizes an individual or team for exemplary contributions to the fields of urban meteorology, climatology, or hydrology, including, but not restricted to, achievements through measurements or modeling that provide an improved understanding of atmospheric processes in urban environments, enhanced urban meteorological or air quality forecasting capabilities, advances in identifying and quantifying beneficial and adverse impacts in urban areas, or in recognition of service or applications in the field. Contributions may either be for a singular achievement or in recognition of sustained contributions over a period of many years. Nominations are considered by a committee of the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission Board on the Urban Environment, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Award for Outstanding Services to Meteorology by a Corporation is granted to a corporation for contributions to the advancement of the science or the applications of meteorology. Nominations are considered by the Awards Oversight Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Edward N. Lorenz Teaching Excellence Award is to be given annually to an individual in recognition of sustained outstanding teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels and the impact this individual has had on students. A nomination letter and three supporting letters are required with at least one of the supporting letters from a former student. Student evaluation forms should not be included in the nomination packet. The Edward N. Lorenz Teaching Excellence Award differs from the Anderson Award in that this award recognizes excellence in educational activities in a more traditional setting (e.g., classroom and university). In contrast, the Anderson Award recognizes educational outreach and service. Nominations are considered by the Education and Human Resources Commission Board for Higher Education, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

Special Awards are presented to individuals, teams of individuals, or organizations not appropriately recognized by more specifically defined awards and who have made important contributions to the science or practice of meteorology or related aspects of oceanography or hydrology, or to the Society. Individuals employed at other than the professional level may be considered for special awards. Normally, not more than two Special Awards will be awarded in any given year. Nominations are considered by the Awards Oversight Committee, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Louis J. Battan Author’s Award - Adult  is presented to the author(s) of an outstanding, newly published book on the atmospheric and related sciences of a technical or non-technical nature, with consideration to those books that foster public understanding of meteorology in adult audiences.  Nominations are considered by a committee of the Education and Human Resources Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Louis J. Battan Author’s Award - K-12 is presented to the author(s) of outstanding, newly published learning materials or books that foster the understanding of atmospheric and related sciences in K-12 audiences.  Nominations are considered by a committee of the Education and Human Resources Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Joanne Simpson Mentorship Award recognizes individuals in academia, government, or the private sector, who, over a substantial period of time, have provided outstanding and inspiring mentorship of professional colleagues or students. Nominations are considered by the Awards Oversight Committee. Teachers mentoring students are covered by the Teaching Excellence Award.

The Editor’s Award
The Editor’s Award is given to an individual who has contributed a referee’s report of outstanding merit on a manuscript submitted for publication in one of the Society’s journals. It draws attention to the fact that the quality of our journals depends in a crucial way upon the reviewing process, and that this process is one to which a large segment of the scientific community contributes much time and painstaking effort, largely unheralded, in a spirit of selfless commitment to the ideals of accuracy and lucidity in scientific writing. Nominations are considered by the Publications Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

The Outstanding Chapter Award
Each year the AMS recognizes two local chapters (one regular chapter and one student chapter) that have demonstrated exceptional innovation and activity over the past year. Specifically, the two awards are “Local Chapter of the Year Award,” and “Local Student Chapter of the Year Award.” During the selection process special emphasis will be given to activities that serve to educate and involve the local chapter’s community regarding scientific issues. Additional favorable activities include the regular submission of meeting minutes to the Bulletin and participating, as invited, at the AMS Annual Meeting. All chapters, regardless of membership size and availability of external resources, are encouraged to compete as efforts will be made to balance these considerations with the scope of the chapter’s accomplishments. The award consists of a banner for the chapter and a certificate for each serving officer. To be considered for an award, a Chapter must be in good standing and meet the minimum requirements outlined in the Local Chapter Officers’ Handbook. A Chapter is responsible for nominating itself for activities conducted during the 12-month period ending 1 May, using a form available from the AMS. The Local Chapter Affairs Committee will review the nominations and make awards recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.
Nomination and Past Winner Information

The Robert E. Horton Lecturer in Hydrology
1 October 2013 Deadline
The Robert E. Horton Lecturer in Hydrology is selected in recognition of eminence as a scientist for outstanding research on topics of interest to both hydrologists and meteorologists. The purpose of the lectureship is to encourage and foster an interchange of ideas between meteorologists and hydrologists. It is named for Robert E. Horton (1875–1945), whose career was distinguished by important assignments involving intricate hydrometeorological problems and by contributions to the sciences of meteorology and hydrology embracing all phases of the hydrologic cycle. The lecture, which may be either a general overview or a summary of recent work conducted in an area of particularly current interest, is presented at an AMS Annual Meeting or at an appropriate specialty conference.   The lecture may be recorded for broader dissemination and, if desired by the Lecturer, a written version of the lecture will be posted as part of BAMS Online. Nominations are considered by the STAC Committee on Hydrology, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.
Application (pdf) | Past Winners

The Bernhard Haurwitz Memorial Lecturer
1 October 2013 Deadline
The Bernhard Haurwitz Memorial Lecturer is selected in recognition of significant contributions to the understanding of atmospheric and oceanic fluid dynamics, the circulation of the middle atmosphere, or the dynamics of climate. The lecture is presented at the AMS Annual Meeting or an appropriate specialty meeting. The lecture may be recorded for broader dissemination and, if desired by the Lecturer, a written version of the lecture will be posted as part of BAMS Online. Recommendation of a Lecturer is made by a committee of the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission, which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.
Application (pdf) | Past Winners

The Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Sciences
1 October 2013 Deadline
The Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Sciences is selected in recognition of significant contributions to the understanding of atmospheric processes through the effective interchange of knowledge between atmospheric science subdisciplines or between atmospheric scientists and scientists of other disciplines. The lecture is presented at an AMS Annual Meeting or an appropriate specialty conference. The lecture may be recorded for broader dissemination and, if desired by the Lecturer, a written version of the lecture will be posted as part of BAMS Online. Recommendation of a Lecturer is made by a committee of the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission (convened annually by the STAC Commissioner), which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.
Application (pdf) | Past Winners

The Banner I. Miller Award
The Banner I. Miller Award is presented for an outstanding contribution to the science of hurricane and tropical weather forecasting published in a journal with international circulation during the 48 months prior to the November 1st deadline for nominations. The award is presented at each Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology. Recommendations are prepared by the STAC Committee on Tropical Meteorology and Tropical Cyclones, with final approval by the STAC Commissioner.

The Robert Leviton Award
The Robert Leviton Award is presented for the best student paper on the development or evaluation of atmospheric instrumentation or unique measurement techniques. The paper selected for the award may be chosen either from those given at a designated national meeting or technical conference of the Society or from papers appearing in one of its journals. The Committee on Measurements will submit a recommendation to the STAC Commissioner, who approves the recommendation. To be considered for th e award, an entrant should either be enrolled as a full-time student or be a student who has just completed a degree but has not yet begun employment at the time the paper is given or submitted for publication. The prize, an AMS reference book, $300, plus a certificate, was established to recognize Robert Leviton, who devoted nearly his entire professional career to endeavors related to the measurement of wind, temperature, pressure, and humidity in the atmosphere. He was one of the pioneers in reducing large datasets from radiosondes using a computer.

The Max A. Eaton Prize
The Max A. Eaton Prize is awarded for the best student paper presented at each technical conference on hurricanes and tropical meteorology. The paper will be judged on content and presentation by a panel selected by the conference program committee. Entrants must be currently enrolled in high school, college, or graduate school. Students who have just completed a degree but have not begun regular employment at the time of the conference are also eligible. The prize, an AMS reference book, $100, plus a certificate, was established to recognize Max A. Eaton’s lifelong contributions to tropical meteorology and the encouragement he gave to so many young researchers.

The Spiros G. Geotis Prize
The Spiros G. Geotis Prize is awarded for the best student paper presented at each technical conference on radar meteorology. The paper will be judged on content and presentation by a panel selected by the conference program committee. Entrants must be currently enrolled in high school, college, or graduate school. Students who have completed a degree but have not begun regular employment at the time of the conference are also eligible. The prize, an AMS reference book, $200, plus a certificate, was established to recognize Spiros G. Geotis’ lifelong contributions to radar meteorology and the encouragement he gave to so many young researchers.

The Peter V. Hobbs Student Prize
The Peter V. Hobbs Student Prize is awarded for the best student paper presented at each technical conference on cloud physics. The paper will be judged on content and presentation by a panel selected by the conference program committee. Entrants must be currently enrolled in high school, college, or graduate school. Students who have completed a degree but have not begun regular employment at the time of the conference are also eligible. The prize, an AMS reference book, $200, plus a certificate, was established to recognize Peter V. Hobbs’ contributions to fundamental studies of cloud physics and to recognize his outstanding teaching and educational service at the University of Washington.

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