The evolution and current state of the atmospheric sciences "Pipeline"

A survey was conducted by AMS in 1980 on women atmospheric scientists/meteorologists to study the participation of racial and ethnic minorities in the atmospheric sciences. It was found that the gender and ethnic composition of the atmospheric sciences has changed over the last few decades, becoming less male and less White. The increased ethnic diversity among AMS meteorologists has largely come in the form of more participation by Hispanics, Asians, and Pacific Islanders, with numbers of African-Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives remaining small. There are dramatic signs of decreased ethnic diversity and fewer men among the youngest AMS members. The situation for women meteorologists has changed from the 1970s, when women were struggling with problems such as explicit discrimination, workplace rules that worked against women, and lack of child-care options.