Richard A. Anthes

Richard A. Anthes is a prominent American meteorologist and atmospheric scientist renowned for his pioneering research in numerical weather prediction and data assimilation for weather satellites. His distinguished career is marked by transformative leadership at major scientific institutions, most notably serving as President of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research for over two decades. Anthes's work has fundamentally advanced the use of satellite observations in global weather and climate models, earning him some of the highest honors in the field, including the Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal.

Early life and education

Richard A. Anthes was born on October 25, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio. He pursued his undergraduate education at Saint Louis University, an institution with a strong history in meteorology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He then continued his graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a leading center for atmospheric research, where he received his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. His doctoral research focused on the dynamics of tropical cyclones, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to hurricane modeling and prediction.

Career and research

Anthes began his professional career as a research scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. His early research significantly advanced the field of mesoscale meteorology, particularly through the development of sophisticated numerical models for simulating thunderstorms and other local weather phenomena. A major focus of his work became the assimilation of data from NOAA and NASA satellites, such as those from the TIROS program, into weather forecast models, greatly improving their accuracy. He later held a professorship in the Department of Meteorology at Pennsylvania State University, where he continued his research and mentored numerous graduate students. His influential textbook, *Tropical Cyclones: Their Evolution, Structure and Effects*, became a standard reference in the field.

Awards and honors

In recognition of his seminal contributions, Anthes has received many of the atmospheric sciences' most prestigious awards. He was awarded the Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the American Meteorological Society. He is also a recipient of the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal for his exceptional contributions to the agency's Earth science programs. Additional honors include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics's Space Systems Award, the Department of Commerce Gold Medal, and being named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Meteorological Society, and the American Geophysical Union.

Selected publications

Anthes is the author or co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and several influential books. His key publications include the monograph *Tropical Cyclones: Their Evolution, Structure and Effects*, published by the American Meteorological Society. He co-authored the widely cited review article "The Atmospheric Boundary Layer" in the journal *Earth-Science Reviews*. Other significant works include studies on data assimilation from the GPS radio occultation technique published in *Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society* and numerous papers on mesoscale modeling in the *Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences*.

Leadership and service

Anthes's most impactful role was as President of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a consortium that manages NCAR and other programs, from 1988 to 2012. Under his tenure, UCAR greatly expanded its community services, educational programs, and international partnerships. He served on numerous advisory boards for NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. He also provided critical leadership for major international projects like the World Climate Research Programme and the Global Energy and Water Exchanges project. His service extended to editorial roles for major journals, including as Editor-in-Chief of the *Monthly Weather Review*.

Category:American meteorologists Category:Atmospheric scientists Category:1944 births Category:Living people