UAH Professor Dr. Xiaomin Chen Earns Prestigious AMS Award for Breakthroughs in Hurricane Forecasting
In a significant achievement for North Alabama's academic and scientific community, Dr. Xiaomin Chen, an assistant professor at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), has been honored with the Banner I. Miller Award from the American Meteorological Society (AMS). This accolade, one of the top recognitions in hurricane research, underscores Huntsville's growing role as a hub for innovative Earth science and atmospheric studies, with implications for national disaster preparedness and economic resilience.
Dr. Chen, who serves as a principal investigator at UAH's Earth System Science Center, received the award for his groundbreaking work on enhancing hurricane prediction models. His research, detailed in an AMS journal publication, focuses on refining representations of the turbulent boundary layer—the atmosphere's lowest level—in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) advanced Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS). This innovation has led to more accurate storm structure simulations and better predictions of rapid intensification, where hurricanes can escalate from minor threats to catastrophic events in mere hours.
Sharing the honor with collaborators from NOAA's Hurricane Research Division, Dr. Chen will accept the award at the AMS Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, in January 2026. The recognition highlights how Huntsville-based research is driving national advancements in weather technology, potentially reducing economic losses from hurricanes that impact industries like agriculture, energy, and real estate across the U.S.
"Hurricane rapid intensification remains one of the most unpredictable and dangerous phenomena, particularly for coastal communities," Dr. Chen explained. "Our enhancements to forecasting tools have already demonstrated real-world benefits, providing critical lead time for evacuations and business continuity planning."
Building on this success, Dr. Chen is extending his investigations to the critical phase when hurricanes transition from ocean to land. Supported by a recent National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, his team at UAH is analyzing how storms weaken over land and how wind gusts evolve along varied coastlines. This work aims to improve hazard forecasts, aiding sectors such as insurance, infrastructure, and emergency management in mitigating billions in potential damages.
Beyond the technical aspects, Dr. Chen emphasizes the human element in his research. "Effective forecasting isn't just about data—it's about clear communication to save lives," he said. His group partners with the National Weather Service, including offices in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and social scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to develop multilingual risk messaging strategies for diverse and vulnerable populations.
At UAH, a key player in Huntsville's thriving aerospace and tech ecosystem, Dr. Chen also prioritizes student involvement. His mentees participate hands-on in radar data analysis and observational fieldwork during hurricane seasons, fostering the next generation of scientists who could bolster North Alabama's economy through innovation.
This award not only marks a personal milestone for Dr. Chen but also reinforces UAH's commitment to impactful research. As hurricanes pose increasing threats amid climate shifts, such advancements from Huntsville contribute to national strategies for economic stability and community safety.
