The Webster Symposium honors Dr. Peter J. Webster for his seminal contributions to the study of tropical dynamics and monsoons. Among many of his pioneering studies, his work on tropical wave dynamics, monsoons, and tropical atmosphere-ocean coupling have guided the research in these fields for the past several decades. Particularly, his studies on tropical-extratropical interaction, monsoon processes, predictability and prediction, and monsoon-ENSO connections have become classics with paramount influences. Dr. Webster’s accomplishments and contributions have been recognized internationally (Adrian Gill Medal and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, the Humboldt Foundation Fellow, the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz international Prize) as well as by the AMS (the Jule G. Charney Award, the Carl Gustav Rossby Research Gold Medal, the Bernhard Haurwitz Memorial Lecturer). He received the AGU 2015 International Award for his outstanding contributions to furthering the earth and space sciences and using science for the benefit of society in developing nations. He is also a Fellow of AMS, AGU, and AAAS.
The theme of the Symposium is “Tropical dynamics, atmosphere-ocean coupling, and monsoon processes, predictability and prediction”. The Symposium will include oral and poster presentations. Selected oral presentations will survey the evolution of research in the aspects of tropical dynamics and monsoons during the period of Dr. Webster’s career, including contributions from and inspired by him and from other scientists. Other oral presentations will discuss the most recent advancements in these fields. A dedicated Symposium poster session will provide an opportunity to present current research on these topics. Submissions for oral and poster presentations relating to Professor Webster’s research areas and contributions are welcome. Cash awards will be given to three winning posters presented by students.
All registrants for the AMS Annual Meeting are invited to attend the Peter J. Webster Symposium. A banquet in Professor Webster’s honor will be held on Tuesday, 9 January. The banquet ticket is not included in the conference registration package and must be purchased separately. We encourage purchases of tickets at the preregistering stage for only a limited number will be available onsite. Hotel information will be posted to the AMS Web site (www.ametsoc.org/meet/annual/); registration and general information will be posted starting over the summer; and the preliminary program will be posted in late September 2017.
Three awards will be given to students recognizing outstanding poster presentations. Awards will be given for 1st ($750), 2nd ($500) and 3rd ($250) place. An independent committee will evaluate and recommend winners of the Webster Symposium student awards. To be eligible for the awards, you must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at a University, and you also must be the lead author, personally presenting the work.
For more information, please contact the program chairpersons: Chidong Zhang (chidong.zhang@noaa.gov) or Carolyn Reynolds (Carolyn.Reynolds@nrlmry.navy.mil).