U.S. Army Weather Bureau created within the Army Signal Corps (1870)

On February 9, 1870, a joint resolution established the first official U.S. weather service, placing it under the Secretary of War within the Army Signal Corps. This military assignment aimed to ensure prompt, regular, and accurate meteorological observations at military stations and coastal points, marking the earliest predecessor of the modern National Weather Service.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Prior to formal establishment, Cleveland Abbe began issuing public weather forecasts in 1869 using telegraphed observations. The new service was created by a joint resolution signed by President Ulysses S. Grant. Congress assigned the agency to the Department of War, believing military discipline would secure the greatest promptness, regularity, and accuracy in required observations.

Mission and Organization. The mission included taking meteorological observations at military stations and giving notice of storms on the Great Lakes and seacoast via magnetic telegraph and marine signals. Within the Department of War, the agency was assigned to the U.S. Army Signal Service under the chief signal officer, Brigadier General Albert J. Myer.

Early Staffing. In November 1870, Myer hired Lapham as the first civilian assistant, though he left less than two years later. Abbe joined as the second civilian assistant in January 1871, developing a national forecast system based on his prior work in Cincinnati and issuing forecasts the following month.

People involved

Sources

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