Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Published by the American Meteorological Society, this flagship monthly journal serves as a cornerstone for the global meteorological community. It provides authoritative overviews of major scientific advances, critical policy discussions, and historical reflections within the atmospheric and related sciences. The journal is renowned for its comprehensive special issues, in-depth review articles, and its role in documenting the societal impacts of weather and climate.

History and publication details

The journal was first published in January 1920, just a few months after the founding of the American Meteorological Society itself in Boston. Its establishment was championed by early leaders in the field, including Charles Franklin Brooks, who served as its first editor. For decades, it was the primary periodical of the American Meteorological Society, preceding the launch of more specialized research journals like the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences and the Journal of Climate. Originally a modest publication, it evolved significantly, moving its editorial offices to the society's headquarters in Boston and later to Washington, D.C.. The transition to digital publishing and online access through platforms like JSTOR and the American Meteorological Society's own portal marked a major expansion of its reach in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Scientific scope and impact

The Bulletin covers a broad spectrum of topics central to the geophysical sciences, with a strong emphasis on synthesis and communication. Its scope includes major reviews on phenomena like El Niño, tropical cyclones, and climate change, as well as articles on the history of meteorology, the development of new observational technologies like Doppler radar and satellite meteorology, and assessments of high-impact weather events. It regularly features reports from major field campaigns such as TOGA COARE and HIPPO, and publishes the influential annual "State of the Climate" report, a collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the American Geophysical Union. With a high journal impact factor, it is considered essential reading for researchers, operational forecasters at institutions like the National Weather Service, and policy makers.

Notable articles and special collections

The journal is famous for its seminal articles that have shaped scientific discourse. A landmark 1967 paper by Syukuro Manabe and Richard T. Wetherald presented one of the first credible climate model projections of global warming due to increased carbon dioxide. The "State of the Climate" series, published each August, provides a definitive, peer-reviewed snapshot of global climate indicators. Special collections often focus on major events, such as the centennial of the American Meteorological Society, in-depth analyses of disasters like Hurricane Katrina or the 2011 Joplin tornado, and themed issues on emerging topics like geoengineering or the science of extreme event attribution. These collections frequently involve collaborations with agencies like NASA and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

Editorial process and leadership

The journal operates under the guidance of a Chief Editor, supported by a large board of associate editors who are leading scientists from institutions worldwide, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Oklahoma, and the Met Office. The editorial process emphasizes rigorous peer review while maintaining accessibility for a broad professional audience. Manuscripts undergo review by experts in fields ranging from atmospheric chemistry and boundary-layer meteorology to science communication and history of science. The editorial leadership has historically included prominent figures such as David D. Houghton and Eugenia Kalnay, who have steered the journal's content to reflect the evolving frontiers of the discipline.

Awards and recognition

Articles published in the Bulletin are frequently honored with prestigious awards from the scientific community. The American Meteorological Society itself bestows the Louis J. Battan Author's Award and the Henry G. Houghton Award for outstanding papers appearing in its journals, with many recipients coming from the Bulletin. The journal's special issues and reports, particularly the "State of the Climate," have received commendations from organizations like the World Meteorological Organization and are widely cited in assessment reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Its consistent quality and influence have cemented its reputation as one of the most respected and accessible review journals in the Earth sciences.

Category:American Meteorological Society Category:Atmospheric science journals Category:Monthly journals Category:English-language journals Category:Publications established in 1920