For proposing, planning, designing, executing, and evaluating a new mentoring program at UCAR/NCAR. As chair of the RAL Representative Council, Sarah noted that one of the most effective ways to positively impact the work life of RAL employees was to institute a formal mentoring program. Knowing that prior programs had not been that successful, she worked to determine best practices and develop a program that had a higher probability of success.

For pioneering the development and application of continental-scale, high-resolution, convection-permitting climate modeling. The highest recognition UCAR and NCAR can bestow on a staff member, the Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes distinct and extraordinary accomplishments that have provided a significant advance in enabling, understanding, or communicating key scientific issues during the preceding five years.

2020 Aviation Industry Weather Prize

Advancements in winter weather research that have led to improved aviation safety. Consortium of Aviation Weather Industry Members: Airlines for America (A4A), Aircraft Dispatchers Federation (ADF), Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA), National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and Range Commanders Council – Meteorology (RCC-Met).

AOPA named Roy Rasmussen, a senior scientist and research leader of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the 2020 recipient of its Weather Award for his liquid water equivalent research to help aviators better understand aircraft icing and winter weather conditions. 

University of Michigan, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering. In recognition of achievements, public service, advocacy for education, volunteerism and service to students, the colleges and the university

Energy Systems Integration Group Excellence award for contributions to advances in the use of probablistic forecasts. These awards recognize energy professionals from around the world for their contributions and accomplishments toward the planning and operation of energy systems across multiple pathways and geographical scales in ways that are reliable, economic and sustainable.