Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society

Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
Title	Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
Discipline	Atmospheric science, Meteorology
Editor	Sue Grimmond
Publisher	John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the Royal Meteorological Society
Country	United Kingdom
History	1871–present
Frequency	Quarterly
Openaccess	Hybrid
Impact	8.2
Impact-year	2022
ISSN	0035-9009
EISSN	1477-870X
Website	https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1477870x
OCLC	01779093

Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society is a premier peer-reviewed scientific journal publishing original research in the atmospheric sciences. Established in the 19th century, it is the flagship publication of the Royal Meteorological Society and covers fundamental advances and applications across meteorology, climatology, and related physical and dynamical processes. The journal is renowned for its rigorous standards and has published many seminal papers that have shaped the development of modern atmospheric science.

History and background

The journal was first published in 1871, following the foundation of the Royal Meteorological Society itself in 1850. Its early volumes documented the pioneering work of Victorian-era scientists like William Henry Dines and Robert FitzRoy, who laid the groundwork for systematic weather observation. Throughout the 20th century, it became a central record for major theoretical breakthroughs, including the development of numerical weather prediction by figures such as Lewis Fry Richardson and the foundational work on atmospheric dynamics by Carl-Gustaf Rossby. The publication has consistently chronicled the evolution of the field from early empirical studies to the complex computer modelling and satellite meteorology of the contemporary era.

Scope and content

The journal's scope encompasses the full spectrum of atmospheric science, publishing research on fluid dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, boundary-layer meteorology, and climate dynamics. It features articles on theoretical modelling, observational studies from field campaigns like TOGA COARE, and advancements in data assimilation techniques for global forecasting models such as those operated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The content also addresses applied areas including hydrometeorology, atmospheric radiation, and the study of extreme events like tropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers, linking fundamental science to societal impacts.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is abstracted and indexed in a comprehensive array of major scientific databases, ensuring global dissemination of its research. Key indexing services include the Science Citation Index Expanded, part of Clarivate's Web of Science, and the Scopus database from Elsevier. It is also covered by CAS, PubMed Central, and the Astrophysics Data System, reflecting its interdisciplinary relevance. These listings contribute to its high Journal Impact Factor and its prominent position in categories such as "Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences" within global rankings.

Editorial processes

The journal operates under a rigorous single-blind peer-review process managed by an international board of editors led by the Editor-in-Chief, currently Sue Grimmond. The editorial team, which includes experts from institutions like the University of Reading and the Met Office, oversees manuscript review to ensure methodological soundness and scientific novelty. The publisher, John Wiley & Sons, handles production and online hosting on its Wiley Online Library platform, offering both subscription-based and hybrid open access publishing options in accordance with funder mandates such as those from UK Research and Innovation.

Impact and recognition

It is consistently ranked among the top journals in its field, with a high Journal Impact Factor and strong performance in metrics like the SCImago Journal Rank. The journal's influence is evidenced by the frequent citation of its papers in major assessment reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and in operational frameworks of national weather services like the Japan Meteorological Agency. Its long publication history and commitment to foundational science have made it an indispensable resource for researchers at organizations worldwide, from the National Center for Atmospheric Research to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Notable articles and special issues

The journal has published numerous landmark papers, including early foundational work on chaos theory and predictability by Edward Lorenz and key studies on the stratospheric polar vortex. It regularly commissions special issues focusing on major international research projects, such as those from the Year of Tropical Convection or field campaigns like DIAMET. These collections often arise from conferences organized by the American Meteorological Society or collaborative programmes under the World Climate Research Programme, providing comprehensive overviews of cutting-edge topics.

Relationship with the Royal Meteorological Society

As the flagship publication of the Royal Meteorological Society, the journal is integral to the Society's mission to advance meteorological science. It is governed by the Society's Publications Committee and complements its other journals, such as International Journal of Climatology and Atmospheric Science Letters. The journal's editors and many contributors are active Fellows of the Society, and its content often originates from presentations at the Society's meetings at its headquarters in Reading or at major gatherings like the EGU General Assembly.

Category:English-language journals Category:Meteorology journals Category:Publications established in 1871 Category:John Wiley & Sons academic journals