2026 Award and Honors Recipients

AMS is pleased to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations of the weather, water, and climate community through its Awards and Honors program. Join us in congratulating the 2026 recipients who will receive their award or honor at the 106th AMS Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas. 

AMS would like to thank its members and friends for nominating colleagues and peers who are so deserving of these awards.

Honorary Members


Stanley G. Benjamin

Frederick H. Carr

Claire L. Parkinson


Award Recipients

The Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal


Wayne H. Schubert

For fundamental and sustained research on the theoretical understanding of moist atmospheric processes, hurricanes, and geophysical fluid dynamics and their representation in numerical models

The Hydrologic Sciences Medal


Martha C. Anderson

For groundbreaking research combining satellite remote sensing and modeling of soil-plant-atmosphere interactions to solve problems in hydrology, agriculture, and climate

The Sverdrup Gold Medal


Zhengyu Liu

For fundamental and transdisciplinary advances in our understanding of the dynamics of the coupled ocean–atmosphere system in the present, past, and future

The Verner E. Suomi Technology Medal



Zhanqing Li

For fundamental contributions in the application of remote sensing to quantifying Earth's energy budget, including the impacts of aerosols and their interactions with clouds

The Jule G. Charney Medal


Tapio Schneider

For pioneering research on atmospheric dynamics and climate change and for leading a pathbreaking climate model development effort

The Warren Washington Research and Leadership Medal


William H. Brune

For transformational advances in the chemistry of the upper and lower atmosphere, critical leadership at multiple levels, and mentoring of diverse groups

The David and Lucille Atlas Remote Sensing Prize


V. Chandrasekar

For advancing remote-sensing measurements of precipitation and applications of weather radar

The Jagadish Shukla Earth System Predictability Prize


Siegfried D. Schubert

For groundbreaking insights into the variability and predictability of droughts and other extremes in the climate system

The Cleveland Abbe Award for Distinguished Service to the Atmospheric and Related Sciences


Renee A. McPherson

For extraordinary efforts to develop programs, tools, and relationships to translate weather and climate information for use by communities

The Charles Franklin Brooks Award for Outstanding Service to the Society


Wendy Schreiber-Abshire

For decades of outstanding and enthusiastic service to the Society with significant contributions in promoting earth science education and making AMS a more inclusive Society

The Robert H. and Joanne Simpson Mentorship Award


Harold E. Brooks

For steadfast mentorship of multiple generations of scholars, especially students, and those working in interdisciplinary and international arenas

The Edward N. Lorenz Teaching Excellence Award


Jon Kahl

For transformative teaching and mentoring, seminal contributions to education literature, and for implementing international learning experiences that inspired generations of atmospheric scientists

The Kenneth C. Spengler Award


Harinder P.S. Ahluwalia

For facilitating the growth of the weather, water, and climate enterprise and for forging mutually beneficial connections across sectors

The Joanne Simpson Tropical Meteorology Research Award


Adam Sobel

For advancing understanding of tropical meteorology through transformative approaches, including the weak temperature gradient approximation and moisture-mode theory

The Syukuro Manabe Climate Research Award


Bette L. Otto-Bliesner

For groundbreaking contributions to modeling past climate change across time scales and transformative insights into dynamic interactions within Earth’s climate system

The Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advance of Applied Meteorology


Timothy Loftus

For pioneering AI methods to create value-added meteorological datasets, significantly enhancing business and stakeholder decision-making and operational efficiency

The Award for Outstanding Contributions to Boundary-Layer Meteorology


John Finnigan

For transformative contributions to our understanding of surface and boundary layer flows over vegetated and complex terrain through innovative uses of observations and simulations

The Henry T. Harrison Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Consulting Meteorologist


Tim Hall, CCM

For achievements supporting the public sector, leadership strengthening the Certified Consulting Meteorologist program, and a career of service to the meteorological community

The Charles E. Anderson Award


Bradford S. Barrett

For fostering collaborations through courageous personal engagement with scientists and students in both the US and Latin America

The Francis W. Reichelderfer Award


Michael H. Cosh

For advances in large-scale in situ monitoring and remote sensing validation of soil moisture, facilitating more effective weather information for the public

The Helmut E. Landsberg Award


Elie Bou-Zeid

For outstanding contributions to understanding urban climates and transports, including the development of large-eddy-simulation models

The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Biometeorology


Lawrence Hipps

For many insightful and innovative contributions as a scientist, teacher, and mentor that address the fundamental and practical challenges facing the biometeorological community

Banner I. Miller Award

     
   
Xiaomin Chen, Andrew Hazelton, Frank D. Marks, Ghassan J Alaka Jr, Chunxi Zhang

For developing a high-wind boundary-layer parameterization scheme that advances the intensity, including rapid intensification, and forecast skill of NOAA’s operational hurricane forecast model, HAFS

The Louis J. Battan Author's Award—K-12

  
Joan Axelrod-Contrada and Ann Malaspina

For "Zeke the Weather Geek: There's a Lizard in My Blizzard!", a fun-filled adventure that accurately interweaves winter meteorology with lively illustrations, humor, and diverse characters to inspire future meteorologists

The Louis J. Battan Author's Award—Adult

  
Simon K. Cutfield and Allen J. Riordan

For "Keep in a Cool Place: The First Winter at Vanda Station, Antarctica", which inspires readers of all ages to appreciate the complexities of Earth's natural systems and the dedication of the scientists who uncover their mysteries

The Award for Distinguished Science Journalism in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences


Lois Parshley

For translating Earth system science into impactful reporting that reveals changing climate impacts on human lives in vulnerable and underreported regions

The June Bacon-Bercey Award for Broadcast Meteorology


Andrew Humphrey

For extensive contributions to the field of broadcast meteorology - including dedication to promoting diversity in the weather community - over an expansive, nearly 30-year career

The Award for Excellence in Science Reporting by a Broadcast Meteorologist


Elisa Raffa

For unique and relatable storytelling over the last decade that captures climate change impacts on a broad range of subjects affecting multiple audiences

The Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award


Timothy W. Cronin

For advances in fundamental understanding of the roles of atmospheric convection and radiation in climate

The Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award


Malte F. Stuecker

For fundamental advances to our understanding of climate dynamics and its impacts

The Henry G. Houghton Award


Dan Li

For foundational contributions to understanding how urbanization interacts with the climate system

The Nicholas P. Fofonoff Award


Jacob O. Wenegrat

For pioneering insights into the role of topography, boundary layers, and air-sea interactions in submesoscale ocean dynamics

The Award for Early Career Professional Achievement


Carlos Martinez

For pioneering research, transformative leadership in bridging science and society, and exceptional service fostering inclusive dialogue and action across weather, water, and climate enterprise

The Award for an Exceptional Specific Prediction


NWS Weather Prediction Center

For exceptional forecasting and messaging of Hurricane Helene's devastating flooding and associated impacts

Local Student Chapter of the Year Award


University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez

For outstanding commitment to its members, the community, and the AMS through innovative activities in service, outreach, and professional development

Local Chapter of the Year Award


Chicago Chapter of the AMS

For unwavering dedication to professional development, service, education, and public awareness for meteorology and climatology

 

Lecturers

The Robert E. Horton Lecturer in Hydrology


Amir AghaKouchak

For fundamental and innovative contributions to understanding and characterizing hydrologic extremes and compound hazards under a changing climate

The Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer


Armin Sorooshian

For outstanding contributions to the development of instrumentation for, new knowledge in, and novel public health applications of atmospheric chemistry and physics

The Bernhard Haurwitz Memorial Lecturer


Tiffany A. Shaw

For fundamental advances in climate dynamics and understanding of how atmospheric circulation responds to climate change

 

Editor's Award Winners

Artificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems


Daniel Rothenberg

For insightful and timely reviews, often for manuscripts that needed emergency reviews

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society


Sharanya J. Majumdar

For consistently providing thoughtful, critical, and constructive reviews

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society


Andrew Molthan

For thorough, excellent, and constructive reviews

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology


Scott Landolt

For high-quality reviews that are consistently constructive and attentive to manuscript details, and help to improve the presentation and flow of manuscripts

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology


Gert-Jan Duine

For timely and quality manuscript reviews, including a quality review on short notice when an additional review was needed

Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences


Rosimar Rios-Berrios

For providing meticulous, thoughtful, and constructive reviews on manuscripts

Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences


Pablo Zurita-Gotor

For providing insightful reviews on manuscripts, including particularly challenging ones

Journal of Climate


Shoichiro Kido

For always being available to give high quality reviews

Journal of Climate


Osamu Miyawaki

For effective handling of challenging reviews

Journal of Climate/Monthly Weather Review


Benjamin A. Schenkel

For thoughtful and detailed reviews on a variety of topics

Journal of Hydrometeorology


Ali Tokay

For polite, meticulous, and insightful reviews

Journal of Physical Oceanography


Mara A. Freilich

For providing insightful, helpful, and timely reviews on a variety of topics for different JPO editors

The Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology


Fraser King

For timely, technically detailed, and comprehensive reviews

Monthly Weather Review


James Marquis

For preparing thorough, constructive, and timely reviews

Monthly Weather Review/Weather and Forecasting


Matthew C. Brown

For providing consistently thorough and constructive reviews

Weather and Forecasting


Feimin Zhang

For years of dedicated service providing timely, critical, and constructive reviews that have significantly improved the scientific quality of submissions

Weather, Climate, and Society


Shubhechchha Sharma

For providing extensive and constructive reviews on a manuscript that were very helpful to the editor and the authors

Cross-Journal


Steven M. Cavallo

For providing reviews containing detailed and constructive feedback for authors of multiple AMS journals.


Fellows


Emmanouil Anagnostou

Kristen Averyt

Elizabeth A. Barnes

Mona Vijaylakshmi Behl

Suzana J. Camargo

John C.H. Chang

Huilin Gao

Sundararaman Gopalakrishnan

Pierre-Emmanuel Kirstetter

Kimberly E. Klockow McClain

Paul Kushner



Todd Lane

John M. Lanicci

Peter May

Renee A. McPherson

Arthur J. Miller

Gerald J. Mulvey

Hisashi Nakamura

Steven M. Quiring

Jens Redemann

Ramalingam Saravanan

Tapio Schneider

R. Bruce Telfeyan

Darin W.Toohey

Zhuo Wang

Shaocheng Xie

Xuguang Wang