Celebrating National Weatherperson’s Day

Thursday was National Weatherperson’s Day. It commemorates the birth of John Jeffries in 1744. One of America’s first weather observers, Jeffries began taking daily weather observations in Boston in 1774 and he took the first balloon observation in 1784.

This is a day to recognize the men and women who collectively provide Americans with the best weather, water, and climate forecasts and warning services of any nation.

Many take weather information for granted. Turn on a light switch, you get light. Turn on your television or radio, or check a web site or a smart phone app and you get the weather forecast. Behind those forecasts are dedicated meteorologists and weathercasters vigilantly helping you plan your day and issuing warnings to help keep you safe.

The primary National Weather Service mission is to provide the American public with the best possible warning service to help save lives and property. Staff at your local NWS forecast office gather weather data and forecast guidance to issue weather and river forecasts and warnings. This effort also includes marine and aviation forecasts, and forecasts to help firefighters control wildfires and emergency management officials address all kinds of hazards. Extensive climate records help engineers, architects, researchers, insurance companies, utilities and many more. The NWS couldn’t accomplish its mission without a diverse group of partners.

Nationwide, more than 9,000 volunteer Cooperative Observers take regular measurements of temperature, precipitation and other data used by forecasters and climatologists. Over 400,000 volunteer storm spotters are trained by the NWS to provide visual reports of severe weather conditions to forecast offices and local emergency management officials. Volunteer amateur radio operators provide critical emergency communications during severe weather. In addition, there are numerous supplemental snow and rainfall observers that report via the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network.

Most of the colorful weather graphics seen on television and other sources come from another member of the America’s weather team. Commercial weather companies enhance the presentation of the NWS data and information for their clients in the media and in many weather-sensitive industries, and provide customized forecasts and services for clients.

Television weathercasters are the most visible members of America’s weather team. They are the trusted faces many people turn to for weather information, and relay official NWS watches and warnings for hazardous weather. Finally, researchers develop ways to enhance forecast and warning accuracy further.

So for National Weatherperson’s Day in 2015, thank all those in the NWS, the volunteers, researchers and partners in television and commercial weather services for their contributions in keeping everyone safe from what nature offers.