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February 9, 2001 — NOAA's National Weather Service today marks 131 years of providing forecasts, watches and warnings for weather, water and climate for the United States. During the agency's lifetime, it has been the meteorological eyes and ears for some of the best—and worst—weather the nation has faced. In 131 years, America's weather service has undergone a name change, finished an ambitious, high-tech modernization and, in the process, taken meteorology from folklore to forecasting.

(Click NOAA images for larger views.) (Click to see the video "A Century of Weather Services.")

The Early Years
In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a joint resolution of Congress authorizing the Secretary of War to establish a national weather service. Later that year, the first systematized, synchronous weather observations ever taken in the United States were made by "observer sergeants" of the Army Signal Service.

The original weather agency operated under the War Department from 1870-1891 with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and field offices concentrated mainly east of the Rockies. Little meteorological science was used to make weather forecasts during those early days. Instead, weather that occurred at one location was assumed to move into the next area "downstream."

From 1891 to 1940, the Weather Bureau was part of the Department of Agriculture. These first two decades of the 20th century had a remarkable effect on the nation's meteorological services. In 1902, Weather Bureau forecasts were sent via wireless telegraphy to ships at sea. In turn, the first wireless weather report was received from a ship at sea in 1905. Two years later, the daily exchange of weather observations with Russia and eastern Asia was inaugurated.

In 1910, the Weather Bureau began issuing weekly outlooks to aid agricultural planning, and in 1913 the first fire-weather forecast was issued. During these times, weather forecasters began using more sophisticated methods including surface weather observations; kite experiments to measure temperature, relative humidity and winds in the upper atmosphere; and later, airplane stations.

Realizing that the Weather Bureau played an important role for the aviation community, and therefore commerce, in 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt transferred the Weather Bureau to the Department of Commerce, where it remains today. During the late 1940s, the military gave the Weather Bureau a new and valuable tool—25 surplus radars—thus launching the network of weather surveillance radars, still used today. In 1970, the name of the Weather Bureau was changed to the National Weather Service, and the agency became a component of the Commerce Department's newly created National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In Modern Times
Today, the National Weather Service issues more than 734,000 forecasts (fire weather, public, aviation, marine) and 850,000 river and flood forecasts annually. Each year, the National Weather Service issues between 45,000 and 50,000 potentially life-saving severe weather warnings.

The NWS provides weather, water and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, to protect life and property and enhance the national economy. The NWS has a national infrastructure in place to gather and process data from the land, sea and air. This includes data retrieved from familiar technologies such as, weather radars and satellites, and also less-familiar technologies—data buoys for marine observations and surface-observing systems.

The NWS' highly trained and skilled workforce uses sophisticated computer models, and high-speed communications systems to generate data, outlooks, forecasts and warnings. Trained community volunteers enhance weather service operations. Cooperative observers collect weather data that becomes part of the nation's climate records.

With 121 field offices, 13 River Forecast Centers, and nine national centers, the modernized and streamlined National Weather Service continues to carry out its daily mission of protecting life and property in the USA.

Relevant Web Sites
Tales of National Weather Service History

National Weather Service Historical Photos

The following National Weather Service Web sites are available to provide up-to-the-minute winter weather information.

Current winter storm watches, warnings and temperatures across the United States

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center — Winter Outlook 2000-2001

National forecasts that extend from three to 14 days in advance

Winter weather safety and preparedness tips to handle snow, ice, wind and bitter cold temperatures

Map showing the latest conditions over the United States

NOAA's Weather Page — includes latest satellite images and weather maps

NOAA's National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services

NOAA's National Weather Service's Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

UPS AND DOWNS MARK YEAR IN WEATHER FOR 2000, NOAA SAYS
FORECASTERS UPDATE WINTER 2000-01 OUTLOOK

NOAA Weather Radio

Media Contact:
John Leslie, NOAA's National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622