Developed the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a widely used system to classify hurricanes based on their wind speed, central pressure, and potential damage. This scale has saved countless lives and property by providing critical information during hurricane events.
Robert Simpson is renowned for co-developing the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, a groundbreaking system that categorizes hurricanes based on their wind speed, central pressure, and potential damage. As a prominent meteorologist and hurricane specialist, Simpson dedicated his career to understanding and predicting these powerful storms.
Born on November 19, 1912, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Simpson survived the devastating 1919 Florida Keys hurricane at the age of six, which claimed the life of one of his family members. This event sparked his fascination with the weather, leading him to pursue higher education in physics.
| Education | Year |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Physics, Southwestern University | 1933 |
| Master of Science in Physics, Emory University | 1935 |
Simpson's career with the United States Weather Bureau began in 1940, where he worked as a junior observer of meteorology in Brownsville, Texas. During World War II, he was promoted to forecaster in New Orleans and later assigned to help create the Army Air Force weather school in Panama.
In the 1970s, Simpson collaborated with Herbert Saffir to develop the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. This system categorizes hurricanes from Category 1 (winds of 74-95 mph) to Category 5 (winds of 157 mph or higher).
| Category | Wind Speed | Potential Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 74-95 mph | Minimal damage to buildings, some damage to trees and power lines |
| Category 5 | 157 mph or higher | Catastrophic damage to buildings, infrastructure, and vegetation |
Simpson received numerous awards for his contributions to meteorology, including the American Meteorological Society's Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advancement of Applied Meteorology and the Department of Commerce's Gold Medal.
Simpson was married to Joanne Simpson, a renowned meteorologist in her own right. He passed away on December 18, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of contributions to the field of meteorology.
Robert Simpson's work on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale has saved countless lives and property by providing accurate predictions and warnings of hurricane severity. His dedication to understanding and predicting hurricanes has made a lasting impact on the field of meteorology.
80 Years Old
A renowned meteorologist and author, known for his accurate weather forecasts and popular books on climate and weather phenomena.
92 Years Old
A beloved morning TV show host and weather forecaster, known for his folksy charm and iconic sign-offs, bringing joy and sunshine to millions of viewers.
71 Years Old
A beloved TV personality and author, best known for his charismatic weather forecasts and enthusiastic reporting on NBC's Today show. He's also a prolific writer of mystery novels and cookbooks.
97 Years Old
Australian rules football legend and coach, known for his playing career with Essendon and coaching stints with Richmond and Essendon, winning multiple premierships.
