User:TheAustinMan/sandbox/NWS
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The history of the National Weather Service began with its inception as a military weather service under the direction of then-U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870 under the responsibility of the Signal Corps within the Department of War. In 1890, the agency transitioned into a civilian agency under the Department of Agriculture as the United States Weather Bureau, and gained its current moniker in 1970 following its placement in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce.
The National Weather Service and its heritage were preceded by various attempts at establishing regional weather observation networks in the United States, particularly beginning in the early 19th century. James Tilton and Joseph Lovell of the United States Army and Joseph Henry of the Smithsonian Institution were among the first to advocate for and develop meteorological observation networks. Meteorologists Cleveland Abbe and Increase A. Lapham showed promise in their ability to use such networks to create forecasts and warnings on inclement weather. Growing support for a national program culminated in the passage of a joint resolution signed by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870 to establish a national systematic weather observation and warning system under the Department of War.
The first two decades of the new weather service were managed by the Signal Corps. Chief Signal Officer Albert J. Myer served as its first head and oversaw the rapid expansion of the program. As the service grew, the number of meteorological products tailored for both general and industry interests quickly rose, as did the number of weather stations run by the Signal Corps. By 1890, there were 180 active weather stations across the United States, transmitting weather data via telegraph to the Signal Corps's Washington, D.C. headquarters for dissemination to cities and an estimated third of all American households.
Although founded as a military enterprise, civilian interest in weather forecasting outgrew military necessities. With scientific advancement of meteorology emerging as a higher priority, the service was transferred to the Department of Agriculture in 1891. The weather service began this new era christened as the United States Weather Bureau, an independent civilian government agency divorced in its function from the military.