Gerhard Adrian Wins IMO Prize for Transforming Weather Prediction Science

Professor Gerhard Adrian of Germany has been awarded the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize, the highest distinction bestowed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The honor recognizes Adrian’s exceptional scientific leadership and pioneering work in numerical weather prediction (NWP), international cooperation, and data policy reform over a career spanning five decades.

Speaking at the IMO Prize ceremony, Prof. Adrian reflected on the revolutionary progress in weather forecasting since the 1970s. “When I finished university in 1975, we were asking whether weather forecasts beyond two days were possible. Now, a seven-day forecast is as reliable as a one-day forecast was fifty years ago,” he said in his address titled “Following 50 Years of the Evolution of Numerical Weather Prediction from my Personal Perspective.”

A Trailblazer in Forecasting, Policy, and International Collaboration

Gerhard Adrian’s career has been distinguished by leadership at both national and global levels. He served as:

• President of the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), the German National Meteorological Service, from 2010 to 2023;

• President of WMO from 2019 to 2023;

• Chair of the ECMWF Council (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts);

• Chair of the Policy Advisory Committee of EUMETSAT, the European satellite meteorology agency.

During his presidency at WMO, Adrian was instrumental in securing a pivotal achievement: the adoption of the WMO Unified Data Policy in 2021. This breakthrough marked a turning point in meteorological data sharing, emphasizing open access, interoperability, and global equity—especially at a time when COVID-19 imposed logistical and diplomatic hurdles.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo praised Adrian’s leadership:

“If I had to choose one word to describe Gerhard’s legacy, it would be trust—trust grounded in precision, collaboration, and vision.”

Modernizing Meteorological Modeling: From LM to ICON

At DWD, Prof. Adrian spearheaded the integration of operational meteorology with scientific research. He prioritized climate services, embraced digital transformation, and maintained a sharp focus on the human impact of weather services.

One of his landmark achievements was overseeing the transition from legacy weather models to next-generation modeling systems:

• DWD and its COSMO partners developed the LM (Lokal-Modell), a non-hydrostatic limited-area model used for simulating deep convection and short-term severe weather forecasting.

• These efforts culminated in the development of ICON (Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic Model), a unified, high-resolution modeling system capable of global and regional predictions across scales. ICON is now used for:

  • Operational forecasting,

  • Climate prediction,

  • Atmospheric chemistry,

  • Air pollution modeling,

  • And broader Earth system modeling.

Today, ICON is a flagship modeling framework not only for DWD and the COSMO consortium, but also for international research communities working on climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and environmental science.

Embracing the AI Era in Weather Prediction

In a forward-looking remark during his IMO Prize lecture, Adrian emphasized the accelerating role of Artificial Intelligence in modern forecasting. DWD is preparing to launch an AI-based operational forecasting model, currently in pre-operational testing and expected to go live later this year.

“AI is advancing at unprecedented speed, and it's already becoming a core part of our forecasting toolset,” he noted. The move signals a paradigm shift from traditional numerical modeling to hybrid AI-assisted systems that can rapidly process enormous datasets and generate accurate predictions with reduced latency.

A Lifetime of Dedication and Global Service

Adrian’s recognition with the IMO Prize underscores not only his scientific contributions but also his enduring commitment to multilateralism and the global public good. The IMO Prize—established in 1955—honors meteorologists and hydrologists who advance international cooperation and service to humanity.

The 2024 ceremony featured remarks from WMO President Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, who stated:

“The IMO Prize is not just a medal or title. It is a recognition of a lifetime of dedication to science, society, and shared global goals.”

Dr. Al Mandous also emphasized Adrian’s ability to guide complex global policy decisions during difficult times, including the virtual governance challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Respected Figure in Global Meteorology

Colleagues describe Adrian as a figure of scientific rigor, institutional diplomacy, and quiet but impactful leadership. At the award ceremony, he was joined by dignitaries including:

• Prof. Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General,

• Ko Barrett, WMO Deputy Secretary-General,

• Nikola Gillhoff, Germany’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva,

• Thomas Asare, WMO Assistant Secretary-General.

They lauded his lasting influence on global cooperation, open science, and institutional modernization.

Looking to the Future

As the global climate crisis intensifies and extreme weather events become more frequent, Adrian’s legacy of data openness, innovation in modeling, and emphasis on international partnerships is more critical than ever.

His career offers a template for future meteorological leaders navigating a rapidly changing world—where science, diplomacy, and technology must converge to protect lives and build resilience.