Juanzhen Jenny Sun (RAL/MMM) and N. Andrew Crook (RAL/MMM) 

The papers make an important contribution to atmospheric science by presenting a new method for improving 0-12 hour forecasts and, in so doing, advancing the scientific understanding of convection. They also break new ground in assimilating Doppler radar data into a cloud-scale model, providing the potential for significantly improving initial conditions in the model.

Larry Cornman, Corinne Morse, and Kent Goodrich (RAP). Co-nominee included Stephen Cohn (ATD now EOL). Co-authors included Warner Ecklund (Boulder, CO), Stephen Cohn (ATD now EOL), Eli Karplus (NCAR), Steven W. Mueller (RAP), and R. Andrew Weekley (RAP).

The papers describe new analysis techniques that represent a groundbreaking step in solving radar data quality problems.

These papers describe a new technique for retrieval of cloud microphysical parameters from dual-polarization radar measurements. The knowledge gained about cloud microphysical properties will allow development of improved parameterizations in operational and research weather prediction and climate models. Basic knowledge of cloud microphysical properties will also be enhanced, and it will be possible to better calculate the propagation characteristics of microwaves.

Bob Sharman (AAP/RAL). Co-nominees and co-authors included Todd Lane (ASP/CMS), Terry Clark (MMM/CSM), and Hsiao-Ming Hsu (MMM)

The article addresses two fundamental issues in atmospheric science that can affect aviation: the processes underlying the generation of gravity waves by cumulus convection (which can induce strong turbulence close to the tops of clouds), and the effect of lower-stratospheric gravity wave breaking on mixing and stratosphere-troposphere exchange. The work that builds on this research will help the Federal Aviation Administration develop new safety guidelines for specifying the distance between aircraft and the tops of convective clouds.

Janice Coen (RAL and MMM). Co-nominees and co-authors included Shankar Mahalingam (University of California, Riverside) and John Daily (University of Colorado, Boulder).

This paper represents an important contribution to our knowledge of wildfire dynamics and the coupling of fires with the surrounding atmosphere, and it presents fundamentally new observations that will change the focus and direction of future theoretical and modeling studies.

Rita Roberts. Co-nominee and co-author included Steven Rutledge (Colorado State University)

This paper outlines the incorporation of operational radar data into an automated nowcasting system for consistent and reliable improvement in short-term forecasts of thunderstorm behavior. The technique is now being incorporated in the production of National Weather Service warnings and in research at NOAA, NASA, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

David Yates, Jack Sieber and Annette Huber-Lee (Stockholm Environment Institute), David Purkey (National Heritage Institute), and Hector Galbraith (Galbraith Environmental Services)

The authors describe the development and testing of a novel decision support system referred to as the WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning) model, which is considered one of the most novel environmental planning models ever developed. These papers show that the integration of hydrology and management is highly advantageous, as both supply and demand side interactions can be addressed simultaneously.

Chris Davis (MMM/RAL), Barb Brown (RAL), and Randy Bullock (RAL) for their pioneering paper on an object-based verification methodology which mimics the human perception of forecast quality and provides diagnostic feedback on the nature of forecast errors. This paper marks an important shift from traditional statistical scoring toward a diagnostically relevant verification approach that will change the way forecast performance assessments will be done in the future.

Paty Romero-Lankao (RAL), Doug Nychka (CISL/IMAGe) and John Tribbia (formerly at ISSE) for their paper, which contributes in pioneering ways to the heated debate about greenhouse gas emissions and how they are related to the development trajectories, status, and economic characteristics of countries worldwide. The paper also provides an innovative foundation for how to incorporate socio-economic aspects into the physical sciences' global carbon cycle discussion. This work will have a major and lasting impact on interdisciplinary sciences and environmental policy alike. "This article represents a courageous and successful attempt to deal with grand questions, while approaching them in a methodologically sound way."