National Weather Service celebrates 142 years

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - From 1870 to 1891 the Weather Bureau operated under the War Department in Washington D.C. 

In those early days very little meteorological science was used to make weather forecasts. Weather that occurred at one location was assumed to move into the next area down stream.

In the 1940s the military gave the Weather Bureau a surplus of 25 radars which became its first network of weather radars.

In the 1950s the computer technology paved the way for new complex weather models. It was also when John Quill first started forecasting the weather on WWLP.

In the 1970s the Weather Bureau officially changed its name to the National Weather Service and it became part of the Commerce Department's newly created National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

With new technology most people agree that the accuracy in weather forecasting has improved a lot over the years.    

Bob Mendoza told 22News he remembered what it was like the day of the Windsor Locks Tornado back in 1979. “I drove into it I saw trucks on the side of the road. I was working at Hamilton Standard at the time and as far as I know we had no warning. We didn't even know it was a tornado so yeah you've done a little better I'm being honest it just goes to show you there's a power greater than ours that can predict. ”

And weather spotters are an important way we and the National Weather Service are able to find out what is going on during severe weather and 22News will be hosting a Sky Warn Training session at our station on May 31st.

For more information click here .