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The Patterson Medal

With contributions from the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society

The Patterson Distinguished Service Medal is a prestigious award recognizing service to meteorology in Canada. The award was created in 1946 in honour of Dr. John Patterson who, from 1929 to 1946, was director and controller of what is now the Meteorological Service of Canada.

Dr. Patterson earned degrees in engineering and physics at the University of Toronto, and a Master of Arts at Cambridge University. In 1910, he became the meteorological physicist responsible for organizing upper air investigations in Canada. After World War 1, Patterson spent several years designing a new barometer for operational use and perfecting a new 3-cup anemometer (device that measures wind speed and direction) which was later used extensively by meteorological services.

Patterson medal, image of man on front of coin like object with the words “The Patterson Medal for Distinguished Service to Meteorology” written around it.
Patterson medal

The Assistant Deputy Minister of the Meteorological Service of Canada convenes the Patterson Medal Selection Committee which comprises senior leaders from organizations relevant to the domain of meteorology. Nominations are accepted each year and the nominees are judged solely on the basis of the information provided by the nominators.

Below is a list of the past winners of the Patterson medal dating back to 1954:

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