Louis J. Uccellini is an American meteorologist who served as the director of the National Weather Service (NWS) of the United States from 2013 to 2021. Appointed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), he was the 12th director of the agency and oversaw a period of significant modernization, including the implementation of the NWS Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) upgrades, the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) enhancements, and the transition to a more data‑centric forecasting environment.
Education and early career
Uccellini earned a Bachelor of Science in meteorology from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign and a Ph.D. in atmospheric science from the University of Chicago. He began his professional career with the National Weather Service, serving in various forecast and administrative roles, including positions at the Chicago, Illinois forecast office and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC). He later held senior positions within the NWS’s Climate Prediction Center and the Office of Climate Services.
Tenure as NWS director
During his directorship, Uccellini emphasized the integration of advanced observational technologies, such as dual‑polarization radar, and the expansion of high‑resolution numerical weather prediction models. He promoted partnerships with academic institutions, private sector entities, and state and local emergency management agencies to improve the delivery of weather warnings and public outreach. Under his leadership, the NWS also pursued initiatives to enhance workforce training and to increase diversity within the agency.
Post‑directorship activities
After stepping down in 2021, Uccellini has remained active in the meteorological community, contributing to professional societies such as the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and participating in advisory panels related to climate services and weather forecasting.
Selected honors and affiliations
- Fellow of the American Meteorological Society
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences’ Weather and Climate Extremes Committee (former)
References
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “Louis Uccellini appointed NWS Director.” Press release, March 2013.
- American Meteorological Society. “Profiles: Louis J. Uccellini, AMS Fellow.”
- U.S. Government Publishing Office. “National Weather Service Director Biography.”
This entry reflects information that is publicly documented and verified through official government releases and professional society records.
