Tributes have been paid to Ray Bates of Kilmore Quay, who passed away at the age of 83, then first Irish recipient of the NASA Scientific Achievement Award.
Mr Bates spearheaded the introduction of Lagrangian integration in weather forecasting models, leading to Ireland becoming a leader in its application and personal recognition and awards for his pioneering work in the development of semi-Lagrangian models for climate and weather prediction.
In 1987, Ray moved to the USA, as Senior Scientist and Branch Head at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, near Washington DC. In 1994, NASA presented Ray with a Scientific Achievement Award ‘for leadership and pioneering work in the development of semi-Lagrangian.
Ray Bates had a successful career in meteorology, working at Met Éireann and later becoming its Deputy-Director.
He studied at MIT and being awarded a PhD for his research and made significant contributions to computer forecasting systems in Met Éireann.
Ray’s work on climate sensitivity and climate feedback continues to be regarded as scientifically significant and of the highest standard.
