Herbert Riehl
American Meteorological Society Oral History Project
The American Meteorological Society Oral History Project (AMSOHP) aims to capture the history of the atmospheric sciences as told by scientists, administrators, and others working in the field. The collection is especially rich in interviews that capture the memories of scientists who launched much of the innovative meteorological research in post-war America.
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On September 9, 1989, Dr. Joanne Simpson interviewed Herbert Riehl for the American Meteorological Society and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Tape Recorded Interview Project. Riehl discusses his pioneering contributions to tropical meteorology, including his early work during World War II under Carl-Gustav Rossby, his involvement in training weather officers for the U.S. military, and his groundbreaking studies on the energy dynamics of tropical storms. He recounts his time at the University of Chicago, where he developed landmark courses in tropical meteorology and co-authored influential studies on heat balance and cumulonimbus processes.
Riehl reflects on his role in key military-supported research projects, such as studying jet streams, trade winds, and hurricane behavior, and details his innovative "Dish Pan" experiments simulating atmospheric circulations. The discussion also explores his collaborations with prominent meteorologists, including Joanne Simpson, and the development of the "hot tower" hypothesis, which remains foundational in understanding tropical cloud systems and vertical transport mechanisms. He further examines the role of satellite data and international experiments in advancing meteorological research.
Riehl shares insights into his transition to Colorado State University, where he founded the Department of Atmospheric Science, shaping its focus on modeling, tropical meteorology, and observational studies. He highlights the importance of balancing theoretical, observational, and experimental methods in meteorological science.
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