Terra Ladwig

Dr. Terra Ladwig is a scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) in Boulder, Colorado, and a member of the High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) development team at NOAA's Global Systems Division (GSD). Her research is focused on improving the HRRR initial conditions to make forecasts better.

What drew you to your current career or field?

When I was young I wondered why sometimes it rained all day and other times rain passed quickly. I was excited to study meteorology and learn the answer.

What projects or research are you working on now?

I am researching improvements for the way cloud observations are used in the HRRR. I’m also excited to be working on ensemble data assimilation and ensemble forecasting at convective allowing scales. In addition, I’m on the development team for the Three-Dimensional Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis (3D-RTMA).  

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love looking at forecasts for extreme weather events, especially severe thunderstorms. I also enjoy the satisfaction when an experiment works.

Who do you look to as a role model and why?

My parents are great role models because they have showed me that hard work pays off and that balancing family life is just as important as your career.  

What does success mean to you? 

I used to have such a high bar for success that it was never attainable. Now I have come to realize that being successful is contributing my best to my team.

What’s been your proudest moment in your career so far? 

I am so proud that I have contributed scientific changes to the operational HRRR that is used every day by NWS forecasters, and for many applications like aviation and renewable energy.

What do you hope the future for women in science looks like?

I look forward to the day when women in science are simply scientists.