 |
 |
 |
| Dr.
Rodger A. Brown |
Research Meteorologist
Convective Weather Research Group
National Severe Storms Laboratory
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Norman, OK
Rodger Brown received his
B.S. degree in Earth Sciences at Antioch College, Ohio in 1960. He obtained his
M.S. degree in Geophysical Sciences from the University of Chicago in 1962 and
his Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 1989.
Dr. Brown has worked at the National Severe Storms Laboratory
(NSSL) since 1970. He arrived at NSSL just as Doppler weather radars were starting
to be used to study thunderstorms. Brown and his colleagues wanted to find
out how the storms became severe and produced damaging winds, large hail, and
tornadoes. "We
soon discovered that most of the thunderstorms that produced damage had a Doppler
velocity signature of a rotating updraft (called a mesocyclone) 20 minutes
or more before there was damage on the ground. We also discovered the Doppler
velocity signature of the tornado while the tornado was still in its formative
stage up in the storm, before it descended below cloud base." The National
Weather Service now uses these mesocyclone and tornado signatures -- those
that are measured by the national network of NEXRAD Doppler radars -- to issue
more timely severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings.
Dr. Brown is a member
of the American Meteorological Society (in which he has chaired the Severe
Local Storms Committee), the American Geophysical Union, the National Weather
Association (in which he has held elected offices of Secretary Royal Vice
President, and Councilor), Sigma Xi, and the Royal Meteorological Society in
England.
Brown states, "We have been successful in detecting
Doppler velocity signatures that indicate the presence of developing severe
storms. However, trying to understand how storms become severe and produce
tornadoes has been a frustratingly slow process owing to lack of detailed measurements
(in space and time) within the storm and within its immediate surroundings.
It has taken decades to gain what limited information we now know and it will
take at least a decade or two more before we can hope to have a complete understanding
of the complex processes taking place within tornado-producing storms."
"During
a typical day, I spend most of my time trying to understand how ordinary thunderstorms
evolve into severe thunderstorms and occasionally into tornado-producing storms.
I may be analyzing single or multiple Doppler radar data within severe storms
to document how the storms evolve. Or I may be using computer simulations of
Doppler velocity signatures of storm features in order to better understand
how to interpret the signatures relative to storm evolution. To let others
know what I have learned, I may spend time writing up my findings for a professional
journal. Being involved with professional organizations, I may spend some time
discussing (by phone or e- mail) matters of professional concern with other
members of the organizations."
Rodger
Brown's interests outside of work include reading, juggling, and working with
Boy Scouts as an adult leader. Through Boy Scouting, he became interested in
learning how to make various American Indian crafts. In particular, Dr. Brown
makes and plays wooden Plains Indian style flutes. He and his wife have three
grown children and five grandchildren. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
