Harry Wexler

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Harry Wexler (1911–August 11, 1962) was an American meteorologist.

He attended Harvard University, and in 1939 he was awarded a Ph.D. in meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He worked for the United States Weather Bureau from 1934 until 1942, then served as a Major with the weather service of the Army Air Corps during World War II. On September 14, 1944, Major Harry Wexler became the first scientist to deliberately fly into a hurricane. He accompanied a flight of a Douglas A-20 "Havoc" that flew into the hurricane to collect scientific data.

In 1946 he returned to the U.S. Weather Bureau, becaming Chief of the Scientific Services division. As head researcher, Dr. Wexler encouraged a study into the atmospheres of planets other than the Earth. He is particularly noted for his work on the use of satellites for meteorological purposes, the development of the TIROS-1. He also studied the use of computers for weather prediction and modification. He was chief scientist for a U.S. expedition to the Antarctic for the International Geophysical Year.

From 1959 until 1961 he proposed and promoted the idea of a World Weather Watch. In 1961 he served as the lead negotiator for the U.S. in talks with the U.S.S.R. concerning the joint use of meteorological satellites.

He continued working at the bureau until his death in 1962. He was survived by his wife Hannah, and her daughters Susan and Libby. His wife donated his papers to the Library of Congress in 1963.

[edit] Honors

Wexler crater on the Moon was named after him. Volume 91, issues 10-12 of the Monthly Weather Review were published as memorial issues for Dr. Wexler. In 1977, the University of Wisconsin-Madison founded the Harry Wexler Professorship of Meteorology.