Professor Gerhard Adrian of Germany has been awarded the prestigious International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize, the top honor of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to weather science, international cooperation, and data policy reform.
At the award ceremony, Adrian reflected on five decades of transformation in weather forecasting. “In 1975, we questioned if forecasts beyond two days were reliable. Today, seven-day forecasts are as accurate as one-day predictions were fifty years ago,” he said during his lecture titled “Following 50 Years of the Evolution of Numerical Weather Prediction from my Personal Perspective.”
Transforming Forecasting and Global Data Policy
Adrian’s leadership has spanned national and global platforms. He served as:
•President of Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) from 2010 to 2023,
•President of WMO from 2019 to 2023,
•Chair of both ECMWF Council and EUMETSAT’s Policy Advisory Committee.
His major achievement at WMO was steering the adoption of the Unified Data Policy in 2021, ensuring open and equitable access to meteorological data worldwide an important milestone during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo praised Adrian’s legacy as built on “trust, precision, and vision.”
Pioneering Modern Weather Models
Under Adrian’s guidance, DWD transitioned from older models like LM (Lokal-Modell) to ICON (Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic Model)—a cutting-edge system now central to forecasting and climate prediction globally. ICON’s high-resolution capabilities support:
•Weather and climate forecasting,
•Atmospheric chemistry and pollution modeling,
•Disaster risk reduction studies,
•Broader Earth system science.
•Embracing AI in Forecasting
Looking ahead, Adrian highlighted Artificial Intelligence’s growing role in meteorology. DWD is testing an AI-based operational forecasting model, expected to go live this year—marking a shift towards faster, more adaptive prediction systems.
“AI is already reshaping how we forecast weather,” Adrian said, noting its potential to transform data processing and prediction accuracy.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Science and Humanity
Since 1955, the IMO Prize has honored exceptional contributions to global meteorology and hydrology. The 2024 ceremony, attended by international dignitaries, recognized Adrian’s leadership in steering complex policy decisions—even during pandemic-era challenges.
WMO President Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous remarked, “This prize reflects not only scientific excellence but also service to humanity and global cooperation.”
Adrian’s work, blending science with diplomacy and technology, is seen as a guidepost for future leaders tasked with addressing climate change and increasing weather extremes worldwide.