Alan Moller

Lore & Background

Moller grew up in Benbrook and the South Hills section of Fort Worth, Texas, attending R. L. Paschal High School. He studied meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and made a career as a forecaster at the National Weather Service. Based on a spotter network he launched in North Texas, he was foundational in developing the national Skywarn storm spotter training program, producing and appearing in its training film and the associated slide show and pamphlet *Tornadoes: A Spotter's Guide* (1977), as well as the follow-up training video *StormWatch* (1995). He intensively trained spotters in his NWS office area and around the country through speaking engagements, and as an amateur radio operator he was enthusiastic about ground truth information provided via amateur radio.

Moller collaboratively developed the concept of the 'integrated warning system' (IWS), devoting his career to understanding forecast, detection, dissemination, and public response as critical elements in successful hazard mitigation. He also worked at the Lubbock NWS office, where he developed flash flooding forecasting and nowcasting guidance, and implored the importance of recognizing risks when multiple hazards may occur. After significant events, he embarked on case studies analyzing surface, satellite, radar, weather balloon, and wind profiler data to identify subtle meteorological features, bringing smaller-scale features and atmospheric ingredients methodologies to higher prominence. He demonstrated the value of hand analysis of atmospheric features.

Moller believed storm chasing was important for providing field experience for spotter trainers and for forecasting convective weather, and as an avenue for imagery illustrating storm processes for training and public preparedness. He began chasing as a graduate student at OU and participated in the first organized scientific storm chasing projects, such as the NSSL/OU Tornado Intercept Project (TIP) in the early 1970s, and was a forecaster for Project VORTEX in 1994–1995. He contributed to *Storm Track* magazine and wrote or co-wrote dozens of scientific journal articles, conference papers, and monograph chapters. In the early 1990s, Moller and storm chaser Martin Lisius formulated the concept for the Texas Severe Storms Association (TESSA), which Lisius founded in 1993 as a formal non-profit organization.

Reader's Guide

Moller's significance lies in his foundational role in developing the national Skywarn storm spotter training program, which standardized and improved the quality of ground-truth reporting used by forecasters. His production of training materials such as *Tornadoes: A Spotter's Guide* and *StormWatch* provided enduring resources for spotter education. The concept of the integrated warning system, which he collaboratively developed, emphasized that successful hazard mitigation depends on a chain of forecast, detection, dissemination, and public response, influencing operational meteorology. His case studies after significant events highlighted the value of detailed analysis of subtle atmospheric features and hand analysis, advancing understanding of severe storm environments. Moller's advocacy for storm chasing as a tool for spotter training and public preparedness helped bridge research and operational forecasting. His work with TESSA created a private-sector organization dedicated to severe weather education, bringing together professionals, spotters, and enthusiasts. The Alan R. Moller Severe Weather Education and Research Scholarship, established by TESSA a few years before his death, continues to support education in his field. His contributions to media coverage, scientific literature, and training videos left a lasting impact on how severe storms are forecast, spotted, and communicated to the public.

Did You Know?

• Moller was an amateur radio operator and valued ground truth information provided via amateur radio.
• He produced, appeared in, and provided photography for the training film *Tornadoes: A Spotter's Guide* (1977).
• He enjoyed drag racing, fast cars, baseball, travel, western art, barbecue, and blues music.