The American Meteorological Society (AMS) is recognizing CIRES Fellow Emeritus Stan Benjamin as an Honorary Member for his transformative contributions to meteorology and operational weather prediction. For over four decades, Benjamin has advanced weather modeling and data assimilation, pioneering methods that dramatically improved high-impact weather forecasts across the United States. Benjamin will be honored at the 2026 AMS Annual Award Banquet on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Early in his career, Benjamin led the development of the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC), a groundbreaking weather model that produced hourly, short-term forecasts by assimilating the most current observational data. His work brought unprecedented precision to aviation and severe weather guidance, setting global standards for short-range prediction. RUC was the first model to integrate multi-species cloud physics and advanced land-surface processes, reflecting Benjamin’s commitment to representing the full Earth system.

Building on RUC’s success, Benjamin spearheaded the Rapid Refresh (RAP) and the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) hourly updating weather models. RAP produced hourly predictions of high-impact weather on a city scale across North America, and HRRR brought the focus down to a neighborhood scale. Both models incorporated sophisticated cloud and radar assimilation, enhancing forecasts for convective storms and aviation safety. These systems remain foundational to NOAA operations today.

Benjamin’s career exemplifies collaboration and innovation; he has built deep partnerships with NOAA, NCAR, universities, and the aviation community to bridge research and application. His vision and leadership have revolutionized mesoscale prediction, ensuring forecasters and decision-makers have the tools to protect lives and property.

Through his dedication, Benjamin has elevated atmospheric science, leaving a legacy of progress that will guide future generations. We celebrate his extraordinary service and enduring impact on the science of weather prediction.