What is weather forecasting and how it is done ? Contrary to popular perception, weather forecasting has been going on for a very long time now. Observation of clouds or star constellation patterns to predict weather is something that has been happening since ancient times. In fact, there are references in ancient Indian Texts- ‘Upanishads’ that date back to 3000 BC about cloud formation and weather forecasts were done observing them. The Chinese astronomers are also said to have developed their weather prediction methods around the same time. Historical references also point to research on the field in ancient Greece and Babylonia.
Early research
It won’t be wrong to state that we are living in the day and age of the telecommunication revolution. Everything is available, quite literally at fingertips. While it is difficult to imagine a world without smartphones, there was a time when this was the reality. One of the early precursors to revolution was the invention of the telegraph. Now, you may ask, what has the telecommunication revolution or the telegraph got to do with weather forecasting.
Well, the advent of the telegraph is what triggered the field of weather forecasting. Before its arrival information about weather patterns could not travel for more than a 100 odd kms at the most. The arrival of the telegraph in 1835 meant that information could travel fast and much longer.
Once this happened things started to pick up speed. Robert Fitzroy, a British Naval officer was among the early pioneers in early research on weather forecasting. In 1854 He would establish the systems that helped mariners and fishermen about weather conditions. Fitzroy is also widely credited with coining the term ‘forecast’. Elsewhere in 1849, Joseph Henry, a renowned scientist from the Smithsonian Institution in USA, began to collect weather data from different locations using telegraphic codes for weather reporting.
Weather satellites and radars
Pretty soon, in 1861, the first weather forecast appeared in ‘The Times’ in UK. By 1954 weather reports with weather maps began to make their appearance on television in both Europe and the USA. In April, 1960 NASA sent ‘TIROS 1’, a satellite, exclusive for weather analysis. By this time, there was also a lot of research going in the use of radars, which were till then used primarily for military purposes, to study weather patterns. Radars could give valuable information into precipitation in the atmosphere and this helped scientists, predict weather more accurately.
Technology behind forecast
The importance of weather forecast cannot be reemphasized. It is something that helps us protect against extreme weather conditions. It helps farmers to make informed decisions. It is also something that is of crucial importance for the airline and shipping industry. With rapid advances in technology, different techniques have evolved for weather forecasting.
The modern day meteorologists observe data collected from a variety of sources such as weather stations, satellites, radars, seasonal patterns, barometers, etc., to predict weather. AI, with its ability to collate and interpret huge amounts of data, is expected to play a key role in weather forecast in the near future.
At the school, our teachers use innovative ways to ensure that our students are updated about the latest developments in the field of weather forecasting and environmental research. This approach helps in the holistic development of students personalities. Call us today and find out what makes us a student-centric CBSE school in Coimbatore.