Celebrating 50 Years since GATE

Abstract The Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP) Atlantic Tropical Experiment (GATE) took place from June to September 1974. It remains the largest field campaign in atmospheric science history. Its 50th anniversary was celebrated at the 104th AMS Annual Meeting in Baltimore on 1 February 2024. The celebration featured a series of events including town halls, sessions, and a luncheon. These events provided a platform for reflection and knowledge sharing among surviving participants and others and highlighted GATE’s foundational role in advancing our understanding of tropical meteorology and oceanography. GATE was motivated by the need to address the challenge of global weather forecasting, and its science objectives remain relevant today. The campaign led to discoveries that continue to influence modern thinking about tropical meteorology and oceanography. It also impacted the design and goals of subsequent tropical field studies. This article briefly describes the 50th anniversary celebration, including some of the experiences of the participants, and summarizes seminal findings about tropical convection, the tropical atmospheric boundary layer over the ocean, easterly waves, oceanography, and air–sea interaction—fields where GATE’s insights have guided subsequent research. Significance Statement The Global Atmospheric Research Program Atlantic Tropical Experiment (GATE), conducted from June to September 1974, remains the largest field campaign in the history of atmospheric sciences. 2024 marks its 50th anniversary, which was celebrated at the 104th AMS Annual Meeting. The purpose of this article is to briefly summarize the 50th anniversary celebration and highlight the GATE science. Our commemoration piece showcases GATE’s achievements, challenges, and enduring legacy.