On this date in 1861...Captain Robert Fitz-Roy initiated a daily weather forecast for the following day for several regions of England. Fitz-Roy used data telegraphed to the Meterological Department in London from 15 stations across the country each morning. The service was well received by the public, but people in scientific circles criticized the effort saying that it lacked scientific merit. Disturbed by the criticism, Fitz-Roy killed himself less than 4 years later.
On this date in 1943...Weather forecasting is critical to many military operations. In 1943, Allied forces were planning a major bombing raid on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. Because the nearest air bases were in North Africa and the distance to the target was at the limit of range for the B-24 aircraft, weather conditions had to be just right. The bombers could encounter no heavy headwinds coming or going and southerly winds would have to be present to spread the fires started by the incendiary bombs. Meteorologists studied 40 years of weather maps to discover that climatological conditions were right only in March and August. Planners chose August and conditions were right on August 1st. The raid was a success.
On this date in 1983...Andrews AFB, Maryland recorded a wind gust to 149 mph in a microburst that occurred just ten minutes after Air Force One had landed with President Reagan aboard. Such microbursts have been the cause of terrible plane crashes.
On this date in 1943...Weather forecasting is critical to many military operations. In 1943, Allied forces were planning a major bombing raid on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. Because the nearest air bases were in North Africa and the distance to the target was at the limit of range for the B-24 aircraft, weather conditions had to be just right. The bombers could encounter no heavy headwinds coming or going and southerly winds would have to be present to spread the fires started by the incendiary bombs. Meteorologists studied 40 years of weather maps to discover that climatological conditions were right only in March and August. Planners chose August and conditions were right on August 1st. The raid was a success.
On this date in 1983...Andrews AFB, Maryland recorded a wind gust to 149 mph in a microburst that occurred just ten minutes after Air Force One had landed with President Reagan aboard. Such microbursts have been the cause of terrible plane crashes.
on July 31, 2006, 10:49 pm
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