History of Weather forecasting in Timeline

Weather forecasting utilizes science and technology to predict atmospheric conditions for specific locations and times. While informal weather predictions have existed for millennia, formal forecasting emerged in the 19th century. It is a crucial application of scientific understanding to anticipate and prepare for future weather patterns.

1911: Met Office Issues First Marine Weather Forecasts

In 1911, the Met Office began issuing the first marine weather forecasts via radio transmission, including gale and storm warnings for areas around Great Britain.

1922: Publication of "Weather Prediction By Numerical Process"

In 1922, Lewis Fry Richardson published "Weather Prediction By Numerical Process", which detailed a method for numerical weather prediction using finite differencing.

Weather Prediction by Numerical Process (Cambridge Mathematical Library)

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1925: First Public Radio Weather Forecasts in the United States

In 1925, the first public radio forecasts in the United States were made by Edward B. "E.B." Rideout on WEEI, the Edison Electric Illuminating station in Boston.

1931: WBZ Weather Forecasts Begin

In 1931, G. Harold Noyes, from the U.S. Weather Bureau, began weather forecasting on WBZ.

November 1936: First Televised Weather Forecasts by the BBC

In November 1936, the BBC experimentally broadcast the world's first televised weather forecasts, including the use of weather maps.

1940: Experimental Television Forecasts in Cincinnati

In either 1940 or 1947, James C. Fidler made experimental television forecasts in Cincinnati on the DuMont Television Network.

1947: Experimental Television Forecasts in Cincinnati

In either 1940 or 1947, James C. Fidler made experimental television forecasts in Cincinnati on the DuMont Television Network.

1949: Practical Implementation of Televised Weather Forecasts by the BBC

In 1949, after World War II, the BBC put televised weather forecasts into practice.

1954: First Televised Weather Forecast with a Map

In 1954, George Cowling gave the first televised weather forecast while being televised in front of the map.

1955: Practical Use of Numerical Weather Prediction

In 1955, practical use of numerical weather prediction began due to the development of programmable electronic computers.

1963: Edward Lorenz Proposes Limits to Long Range Forecasts

In 1963, Edward Lorenz proposed that long range forecasts (two weeks or more) cannot definitively predict the state of the atmosphere due to the chaotic nature of fluid dynamics equations.

1982: Launch of The Weather Channel (TWC)

In 1982, John Coleman partnered with Frank Batten to launch The Weather Channel (TWC), a 24-hour cable network devoted to national and local weather reports.

2009: US Spending on Weather Forecasting

In 2009, the US spent approximately $5.8 billion on weather forecasting, which produced benefits estimated at six times that amount.

2022: Introduction of AI Weather Models

In 2022, Huawei's Pangu-Weather model, Google's GraphCast, WindBorne's WeatherMesh model and Nvidia's FourCastNet emerged.

2023: Introduction of AI Weather Models

In 2023, Huawei's Pangu-Weather model, Google's GraphCast, WindBorne's WeatherMesh model, Nvidia's FourCastNet, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts' Artificial Intelligence/Integrated Forecasting System, or AIFS all appeared.

2024: Lang et al. Present 30-Day Ensemble Simulations of the Madden-Julian Oscillation

In 2024, Lang et al. presented a study using the AIFS, showing 30-day ensemble simulations of the Madden-Julian oscillation.

2024: Google's DeepMind Publishes Paper on GenCast

In 2024, researchers at Google's DeepMind AI research laboratories published a paper in Nature describing their machine-learning model, called GenCast, which is expected to produce more accurate forecasts than traditional systems.

2024: AIFS Publishes Real-Time Forecasts

In 2024, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts' AIFS started to publish real-time forecasts, showing specific skill at predicting hurricane tracks, but lower-performing on the intensity changes of such storms relative to physics-based models.

2025: American Haines Index Dropped

The American Haines Index will be dropped in 2025, as forecasting of wind, precipitation, and humidity is essential for preventing and controlling wildfires. Indices such as the Canadian Forest fire weather index and the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, have been developed to predict areas more at risk of fire.