Howard Bluestein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Howie Bluestein
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| Born | |
| Alma mater | MIT (B.S. 1971, M.S. 1972, Ph.D. 1976) |
| Known for | Mobile Doppler radars; VORTEX projects 1 and 2 |
| Awards | Louis J. Battan's Author's Award |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Meteorology |
| Institutions | University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology |
| Thesis | Synoptic-scale Deformation and Tropical Cloud Bands (1976) |
| Doctoral advisor | Fred Sanders |
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Howard Bruce Bluestein is a famous research meteorologist. He studies mesoscale meteorology, which looks at weather systems smaller than continents but larger than individual storms. He is well-known for his work on severe weather and weather radar. Dr. Bluestein played a big part in the VORTEX projects, which helped us learn more about tornadoes. He was born near Boston and earned his Ph.D. from MIT in 1976. He was a professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma (OU) from 1976 until he retired in January 2026.
Contents
Understanding Weather: Dr. Bluestein's Journey
Dr. Bluestein studied many things about weather. For his master's degree, he looked at how to predict cloud patterns using satellite images. His Ph.D. research focused on how large-scale weather patterns affect tropical cloud bands. He became a special research professor at the University of Oklahoma.
VORTEX Projects: Chasing Storms
Dr. Bluestein was a key leader in the VORTEX projects. These projects used special equipment to study tornadoes up close. He helped guide VORTEX2, a big field study that happened from 2009 to 2010. This research helped scientists understand how tornadoes form and behave.
Awards and Publications
Dr. Bluestein is a respected member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS). He also worked with important groups like the United States National Research Council. He wrote many scientific books about weather. One popular book he wrote is Tornado Alley: Monster Storms of the Great Plains. This book helps people understand the powerful storms that happen in the central United States. People sometimes call him "Howie Cb," where "Cb" stands for cumulonimbus, which are the giant clouds that bring thunderstorms.
Inventing TOTO: A Tornado Tool
Dr. Bluestein also helped invent a special device called TOTO. He created it with Al Bedard and Carl Ramzy from NOAA. TOTO was designed to measure conditions inside and around tornadoes. It helped scientists gather important data about these powerful storms.
