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Jefferson
Mon May 10, 2004
Listen in RealAudio 
We know Thomas Jefferson as author of the Declaration of Independence and third
U.S. president, but few people are aware that his expertise on weather and climate
rivalled that of any contemporary.
Jefferson's interests encompassed many scientific disciplines, but his daily routine
included weather observing. Twice each day at Monticello, he dutifully recorded the
temperature, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.
In 1776, he began taking regular daily weather observations which he continued
virtually unbroken over the next 40 years, even taking shipboard readings on travels to
Europe. In fact, on his way to the signing of the Declaration he purchased a
thermometer for three pounds, 15 shillings at John Sparhawk's shop, noting a high of
76.
Believing weather records important resources for agriculture, Jefferson encouraged
Americans to create a national meteorological database. He charged Lewis and Clark
to gathering climate information throughout their expedition and personally taught
Lewis the proper methodology.
Jefferson designed the East Portico of Monticello so that he could read the wind vane
atop the roof from a compass dial on the inside ceiling.
But Jefferson did more than keep records. His "Notes on Virginia" contains an
extensive climate analysis. He hypothesized on the formation of mirages, the causes
of rising pockets of hot air, frost, and the impact of weather on agriculture. He
speculated that settlers had altered North America's climate by clearing off the virgin
forests producing climate warming, and (he) also dabbled in extended weather
forecasts.
Thomas Jefferson's vision on weather and climate sowed the seeds for what became
a national weather service.
Thanks to our contributing writer, meteorologist Keith Heidorn. The Weather Notebook
is a production of the Mount Washington Observatory. We are online at
www.weathernotebook.org. Support for our show is provided by Subaru of America and
the National Science Foundation.
Today's Links
\"Notes on the State of Virginia\" QUERY VII: Climate
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/JEFFERSON/ch07.html
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