The first partial weather forecast on television was in 1926 when a weather map was televised as an experiment. Francis Davis of WFIL-TV, channel 6 in Philadelphia, broadcast one of the first (if not the first) weather reports in 1948. The first person to present a weather forecast on British television was George Cowling in January, 1954.
Weather forecasters study and interpret weather data (such as barometric pressure and wind information) and make short and/or long-range weather predictions. A modern weather forecaster such as the BAR688HGA from Oregon Scientific features wireless remote temperature sensors and long-range capability. It also features a weather icon (clouds, sun, rain) on the digital display base unit.
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BAR688HGA Wireless Weather Station with Temperature/Humidity and Atomic Clock
From Oregon Scientific
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Weather forecasting now offers much more than simply a piece of scientific machinery! The La Crosse WS-8157UCH digital wall clock not only comes in a stylish wood-grained case but features atomic time and easy-to-view weather forecasting icons.
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WS-8157U-IT-CH Digital Atomic Clock with Temperature and Weather Forecaster - Cherry
From LaCrosse Technology
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Weather forecasting is made simple with the BAR888-RA wireless thermometer and weather forecasting from Oregon Scientific. The stylish silver unit features forecast icons, remote outside/inside temperature, atomic time and more.
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BAR888RA Wireless Weather Forecaster
and
Atomic Clock
From Oregon Scientific
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Combine weather forecasting and a jumbo digital wall clock with a stylish weather tool from Oregon Scientific. The barometer is accurate to elevations of 6,300 feet while weather icons include sunny, rainy, snow, cloudy and partly cloudy.
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BAR388HGA-BK Wireless Weather Station and Atomic Clock - Black
From Oregon Scientific
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Weather forecasting began with attempts by early civilizations to use reoccurring meteorological and/or astronomical events to monitor the change of seasons. These seasons were eventually divided into 24 festivals by the Chinese in 300 B.C. with each festival associated with a different type of weather.
Weather predictions were always uncertain for civilizations during early times. Forecasts were usually made based upon folklore or myths, not accurate weather information. It wasn't until a hygrometer was invented in the mid 15th century and a thermometer in 1592 before weather forecasting experienced an improvement. The pieces all began to fall into place, however, in 1643 when an Italian, Evangelista Torricelli, invented the barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure.
Modern weather forecasting has come a long, long way over the years. Satellites now allow meteorologists to view the earth from space; Doppler radar can "see" inside the clouds using radio waves; radar can track the movement of rain or snow clouds; and government organizations such as NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) study the weather on a continual basis.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) is the nation's weather and climate observing network. More than 11,000 volunteers take observations on farms, in urban and suburban areas, National Parks, seashores, and mountaintops.
The COOP was created in 1890 under the Organic Act.
For more information about the NWS Cooperative Observer Program
click here
The Citizen Weather Observer Program (
CWOP) is a group of ham radio operators and other private citizens around the country who have volunteered the use of their weather data for education, research and use by interested parties.
The goal of CWOP is to provide tools for weather station owners which help them keep their data quality high, so the data can be widely used with confidence.
Learn About Weather Equipment Terminology
Learn About Weather Equipment
Learn How Atomic Clocks work
Learn About Weather Radios
