Vernon Francis Dvorak (November 15, 1928 – September 19, 2022) was an American meteorologist. He studied meteorology at the University of California, Los Angeles and wrote his Master thesis An investigation of the inversion-cloud regime over the subtropical waters west of California in 1966. In 1973 he developed the Dvorak technique to analyze tropical cyclones from satellite imagery.[1] He worked with the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. He lived in Ojai, California, until his death on September 19, 2022.
Vernon F. Dvorak | |
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Born | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S. | November 15, 1928
Died | September 19, 2022 Ojai, California, U.S. | (aged 93)
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
Known for | Developing the Dvorak technique |
Awards | United States Department of Commerce Meritorious Service award (1972) National Weather Association Lifetime Achievement (2002) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Meteorology |
Thesis | An investigation of the inversion-cloud regime over the subtropical waters west of California (1966) |
Vernon Francis Dvorak was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on November 15, 1928.[2][3][4][5][6]
Dvorak's most influential work was the creation of the Dvorak technique, a method of estimating tropical cyclone intensity using infrared satellite. The Dvorak technique is credited as "fundamentally [enhancing] the ability to monitor tropical cyclones on a global scale."[7] The method provides an invaluable tool in monitoring these systems given the limitations of direct measurements on such a vast scale.[7]
Dvorak married Joanne Foyola Schafroth in Los Angeles in January 1958.[5] He died on September 19, 2022, at the age of 93.[6][7][8]
Dvorak was a recipient of a United States Department of Commerce Meritorious Service award in 1972[9] and in 2002 he received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Weather Association.[10]