Chester W. Newton
American Meteorological Society Oral History Project
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On March 13, 1990, James Fankhauser and Melvyn Shapiro interviewed Dr. Chester W. Newton at the NOAA Research Laboratories in Boulder, Colorado, for the American Meteorological Society and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research's Tape Recorded Interview Project. The interview explores Newton's early education across Alabama, California, and Arizona, leading to his initial engagement with meteorology through a Weather Bureau position. Newton reflects on his influential mentors and peers, including Rossby, Palmen, and Petterssen, and his transformative experiences at the University of Chicago during the development of modern meteorological theories. Newton details his contributions to meteorology, including work on shear lines, squall lines, and atmospheric circulation. He recalls his involvement in pioneering research programs such as the Thunderstorm Project, his influential collaborations in Stockholm, and later contributions to the National Severe Storms Project. Newton also discusses his role in editing the Monthly Weather Review and co-authoring the seminal volume Atmospheric Circulation Systems.
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