UAH's Dr. Josh Wurman earns spot in National Storm Chasing Hall of Fame

April 9, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL. – Dr. Josh Wurman, a researcher at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), was recently named to the National Storm Chasing Hall of Fame (NSCHoF). Alongside Dr. Karen Kosiba, Wurman leads the Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) in the Severe Weather Institute – Radar & Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL), part of the Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at UAH. UAH is part of The University of Alabama System.

The award was presented during the annual National Storm Chaser Summit NSCS in Overland Park, Kansas. Wurman and Kosiba presented to attendees, highlighting FARM's critical contributions to tornado, hurricane, wildfire, hail and other severe weather studies. They also provided an exhibition of Doppler On Wheels – truck-mounted Doppler radar used for severe weather research, particularly in studying events like tornadoes and hurricanes.

During the summit, Wurman was one of six researchers named to the inaugural class of the National Storm Chasing Hall of Fame. The hall of fame honors individuals widely known by the storm-chasing community who have "had a positive and lasting impact on storm chasing, forecasting, mentorship, community engagement, education, documentation, photography/videography, innovation and research."

As a key figure in atmospheric research, Wurman has significantly shaped the capabilities and impact of FARM's technology in severe weather monitoring. His leadership at FARM continues to push the boundaries of meteorological science, strengthening UAH's role in severe weather research.

"It is with extreme pride and heartfelt excitement that committee members comprising the Storm Chaser Hall of Fame, and in coordination with the National Storm Chaser Summit, hereby announce their choices for inaugural inclusion into the SCHoF," states the NSCS website. "This is the first year of existence for the SCHoF, whose purpose is to bring recognition to those talented and insightful individuals who have formed the foundation of Storm Chasing and the multiple genres of meteorological endeavors to the extent that they exist today."