Neil Burgher Ward (June 26, 1914 – April 12, 1972) was an American meteorologist who is credited as the first scientific storm chaser, developing ideas of thunderstorm and tornado structure and evolution as well as techniques for forecasting and severe weather intercept.
He also was a pioneering developer of physical models of tornadoes, first at his home, then at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, Oklahoma.
He significantly furthered the modern scientific understanding of atmospheric vortices, particularly tornadoes.
He studied fluid mechanics and developed an increasing interest in atmospheric vortices by the early 1950s.
[3] He began actively pursuing storms on the road in 1961, coordinating with radar information via the Oklahoma Highway Patrol radio.