On This Day in 1870: U.S. Weather Bureau Forms

On this day in 1870, weather took center stage as the U.S. Weather Bureau, or better known today as the National Weather Service, was signed into law.

Weather has a long history with the U.S., and has impacted generations. With the technological advancements of the 19th century, more weather observation instruments, including hygrometers, thermometers and barometers, popped up across the nation. However, the real advancement in weather forecasting came with the invention of the telegraph, which allowed rapid communication of weather observations and the formation of the first weather maps.

As meteorology continuously made advancements and became more complicated, the U.S. government took notice. On February 9, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a resolution into law to create the U.S. Weather Bureau to provide meteorological observations and forecasts for U.S. states and territories. The U.S. Weather Bureau was made part of the Secretary of War since it was decided the military would have the most organized weather observation network.

Once the U.S. Weather Bureau was created, it quickly became organized. By later in 1870, 22 offices were created across the country to make synchronous weather observations, provide forecasts and issue weather warnings.

Since 1870, the U.S. Weather Bureau has expanded greatly. Today, there are 100 more weather forecast offices (WFOs) than in 1870, making for 122 total. In addition to the WFOs, the U.S. Weather Bureau, or National Weather Service, has 6 regional headquarters, 13 national centers, such as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Storm Prediction Center (SPC), and many other offices and centers.

For over 150 years, the U.S. Weather Bureau has provided weather forecasts to help protect life and property across the entire nation.

Sources: weather.gov, earthobservatory.nasa.gov
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Story Image: The U.S. Weather Bureau building in Washington, D.C., in 1912 (NOAA Photo Library/Willis Milham).