Richard W. Reynolds

Dr. Richard W. Reynolds has specialized in analyzing sea surface temperatures (SST) since he graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1975 with a PhD.  In 1980 Dr. Reynolds began his career at NOAA as the lead scientist responsible for the development, implementation and operational production of sea surface analyses and associated. He has been active in improving the accuracy of the SST analyses by optimizing the advantages of in situ (ship and buoy) and satellite data.

Three analysis versions are currently available to users:

1. Historic SST analysis using only in situ data
   1854 to present on a monthly 2-degree grid
2. Weekly SST using in situ and infrared satellite data
   November 1981 to present weekly on 1-degree grid
3. Daily SST using in situ and infrared and microwave satellite data
   September 1981 to present daily on a 1/4 degree grid

Dr. Reynolds has received the following awards:

• Department of Commerce Gold Medal; December 1997
  For producing SST Analyses for the NCEP atmospheric reanalysis
• Department of Commerce Gold Medal; November 2004
  For development of innovative techniques leading to optimal use of observing systems related to sea surface temperatures
• Elected a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society: January 2007
• Department of Commerce Gold Medal; November 2007
  For improving the understanding of observed climate change and causes by showing that global average atmospheric warming is similar to surface warming
• Department of Commerce Silver Medal; November 2007
  For developing a calibration technique breakthrough enabling detection of reliable long-term atmospheric temperature trends from satellite data

Dr. Reynolds joined CICS-NC as a senior scientist in November 2009.