About AMS
The AMS Mission
The American Meteorological Society advances the atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications, and services for the benefit of society.
Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) is the nation’s premier scientific and professional organization promoting and disseminating information about the atmospheric, oceanic, hydrologic sciences. Our more than 13,000 members include scientists, researchers, educators, broadcast meteorologists, students, weather enthusiasts, and other professionals in the fields of weather, water, and climate.
AMS is a 501(c)3 non-profit membership organization, headquartered in the historic Harrison Gray Otis House in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. We also have an office in Washington, DC, where we run our education and policy programs.
AMS is committed to strengthening the incredible work being done across the public, private, and academic sectors. Our community knows that collaboration and information sharing are critical to ensuring that society benefits from the best, most current scientific knowledge and understanding available.
Today, AMS provides global leadership in the fields of water, weather, and climate sciences by offering these activities and programs:
- Journals and Publications
- Annual and specialty Meetings
- Professional Certification
- Policy Program
- Education Program
- Awards and Honors
- AMS Books
- Commissions, Committees, and Boards
- Scholarships and Fellowships
For further information regarding society activities, membership, or general inquiries please send an email to amsinfo@ametsoc.org.
- History of the AMS
The American Meteorological Society was founded in 1919 by Charles Franklin Brooks of the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, Massachusetts. Its initial membership came primarily from the U.S. Signal Corps and U.S. Weather Bureau and numbered just less than 600. Its initial publication, the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, was meant to serve as a supplement to the Monthly Weather Review, which, at the time, was published by the U.S. Weather Bureau.
- History of the House at 45 Beacon Street
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In 1806 Charles Bulfinch (a famous Boston architect) completed the house at 45 Beacon Street for Boston's third mayor, Harrison Gray Otis. Otis resided in this house until his death in 1848. After Otis's death there were three owners of the house until the American Meteorological Society purchased and renovated it in 1958. Executives and staff moved into their new headquarters in 1960. more information...
- History of the AMS Seal
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In the May, 1920 issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, there is a brief announcement concerning the submission of designs for a Seal. A Seal Committee, consisting of C.F. Brooks (Secretary) and C.F Marvin (a member of the governing Council) formulated the requirements that "the Seal should show the two Americas, that it should show something meteorological, and that the manifold applications of meteorology should be indicated." A design by Lieut. C.N. Keyser was approved by the Seal Committee and put to a vote before the attendees at the Annual Meeting in 1920. Though there is no record in the Bulletin of a favorable vote, the Seal design seems to have gone into use immediately. more information...