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Weather History
Wed Feb 26, 2003
Listen in RealAudio 
You might remember the high and low temperatures from yesterday, or the cold snap last week,
but what about last year? Last century? Just how far back do our weather records go? Hi, I'm
Bryan Yeaton and this is The Weather Notebook.
Historical meteorologists have discovered many methods to determine what the weather was like
in the days before any weather service existed. Weather records in North America go back to
1685 in Sweeds Fort, Delaware, near what is now Wilmington. There, John Holm kept a diary in
which he recorded the weather each day.
Some of the better-known records were kept by graduates of Harvard University. These well-read
alumni were generally trained as the local parsons or preachers and would often find
themselves to be the only ones who could read and write near small towns or missionary
outposts. They kept records on just about everything, including weather.
Other weather observers included our early Chief Executives. After his term, George Washington
retired to Mount Vernon to run his five plantations. As gifts, he had been presented with all
sorts of trees and shrubs and seeds, and kept meticulous records about the weather he
encountered in planting and growing them. Thomas Jefferson, weather observer for the Second
Continental Congress, also kept records when he was ambassador to France. Jefferson also notes
to future president James Madison, that he should keep record of weather at his home in
Montpelier, VA and even outlined where to put the thermometer and which readings to
take.
This information now gives historical meteorologists a view into the daily weather of
yesterday, and has contributed in predicting how hot it's going to be at your house
tomorrow.
The Weather Notebook is made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Our
show is underwritten by Subaru, The Beauty of All-Wheel Drive.
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