Richard Carbone
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 May 9, 2005, Robert Seraphin interviewed Richard Carbone for the archives of the American Meteorological Society at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. In this interview, Carbone reflects on his early life, education, and professional journey in meteorology. He discusses his upbringing in Norwalk, Connecticut, and his passion for baseball, including a near-recruitment experience by the Philadelphia Phillies. Carbone describes his academic pursuits, including his time at Knox College and his eventual transfer to New York University to study meteorology. He also delves into his graduate work at the University of Chicago, where he studied under influential figures like Ted Fujita and Dave Atlas.
The interview further explores Carbone's professional career, including his time at Grumman Aerospace Corporation and his transition back to academia and research, leading to significant contributions at NCAR. His research on weather modification, rainfall enhancement, and atmospheric physics, including his work with the Bureau of Reclamation, is a focal point. Carbone highlights his leadership roles, including his time as the head of the Atmospheric Physics group at Meteorology Research, Inc. and his later involvement in major research projects such as the Texas High Plains Experiment (HIPLEX) and the Sierra Cooperative Pilot Project. Throughout the interview, Carbone provides insights into the development of Doppler radar technology, field experiments, and the evolution of meteorological research. He also discusses his later research interests in the predictability of mesoscale systems and the global use of the NEXRAD radar network for weather prediction.
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