The Henry Stommel Research Award is awarded by the American Meteorological Society to researchers in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of the understanding of the dynamics and physics of the ocean. The award is in the form of a medallion and was named for Henry Stommel.
| Year | Recipient | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Melvin E. Stern | "for profound and original contributions to the development of geophysical fluid dynamics and its application to the physics of the ocean circulation" |
| 1996 | Joseph L. Reid | "for fundamental contributions to a quantitative understanding of the global circulation, based on detailed and insightful analyses of hydrographic observations" |
| 1997 | George Veronis | "for a wide range of fundamental contributions to the development of physical oceanography and geophysical fluid dynamics" |
| 1998 | Nicholas P. Fofonoff | "for his fundamental work on the general circulation and the physical properties of the ocean and for development of observational techniques in physical oceanography" |
| 1999 | Peter B. Rhines | "for amazing physical insight and profound appreciation of observations as a guide to understanding how the ocean works" |
| 2000 | Carl I. Wunsch | "for his leadership in understanding the circulation of the global ocean, and his insistence that our understanding and models be based upon and assessed through direct observations." |
| 2001 | Christopher J. R. Garrett | "for his rare ability to use simple models or concepts to expose the rich underlying physics that leads us all to a more profound understanding of ocean processes" |
| 2002 | Nelson G. Hogg | "for elucidating the structure and dynamics of the ocean circulation through observation, analysis, and theory" |
| 2003 | Harry L. Bryden | "for fundamental and elegant observational contributions to understanding the oceanic general circulation" |
| 2004 | Friedrich A. Schott | "for systematically undertaking observations in challenging environments and for bold interpretation leading to greater understanding of the ocean circulation" |
| 2005 | John S. Allen | "for his insightful and rigorous elucidation of ocean processes over the continental shelf and slope" |
| 2006 | Michael C. Gregg | "for outstanding and comprehensive measurements of turbulence and mixing in many oceanic environments, and particularly for establishing a quantitative relationshipbetween pelagic mixing rates and the energy of internal waves" |
| 2007 | John A. Whitehead | “For his fundamental contributions to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics and Physical Oceanography, for which his laboratory and observational studies of rotating hydraulic flows have been particularly illuminating.” |
| 2008 | Peter D. Killworth | “For his many important contributions to ocean modeling and theoretical oceanography, which have significantly extended our knowledge of the processes governing ocean circulation” |
| 2009 | Kirk Bryan, Jr. | “For pioneering contributions to ocean circulation modeling, including model development and applications to the study of ocean heat transport and the ocean's role in climate” |
| 2010 | Thomas B. Sanford | "For pioneering development of unique instruments based on electromagnetic sensors and for using them to unravel key features of ocean dynamics" |
| 2011 | Dudley B. Chelton | "For fundamental contributions to advancing our understanding of ocean circulation and air-sea interaction." |
| 2012 | Robert Pinkel | "For developing outstanding instrumentation, using it widely, and interpreting the results to advance understanding of numerous small-scale processes in the upper ocean." |
| 2013 | Laurence Armi | "For his deeply insightful studies of stratified flow, his pioneering work on boundary mixing and other turbulent mechanisms." |
| 2014 | James N. Moum | "For fundamental research on quantifying and modeling vertical mixing in the ocean." |
| 2015 | Glenn R. Flierl | "For fundamental insights into the dynamics of vortices and geostrophic turbulence and their impact on marine ecosystems" |
| 2016 | Robert Pickart | "For pioneering work in the exploration of high-latitude water masses and currents and for advancing the understanding of their climatic impact." |
| 2017 | Lynne D. Talley | "For exceptional contributions to understanding the genesis, distribution, and fate of mode and intermediate waters, and their importance in global heat and freshwater transport" |
| 2018 | Gregory C. Johnson | "For fundamental contributions to understanding oceanic variability, from equator to poles and surface to abyss, and for pioneering studies of the oceans’ role in climate" |
| 2019 | Martin Visbeck | "For outstanding contributions to understanding ocean circulation and mixing, and the role of the oceans in climate" |