Numerical Weather Prediction at 60: A Journey of Innovation at the Met Office
Sixty years ago, the Met Office began a transformative journey in weather forecasting across the United Kingdom and beyond. The adoption of numerical weather prediction (NWP) in 1965 marked a pivotal moment, starting an era of scientific breakthroughs, technological progress, and steadily improving forecast accuracy.
From Early Experiments to Operational Forecasts
The story of NWP at the Met Office starts in the early 1950s, when pioneers like Fred H. Hinds, guided by John S. Sawyer, carried out the first experimental forecasts using the EDSAC computer in Cambridge. Although restricted by the era's limited technology, these tests set the stage for future developments.
By 1959, the introduction of the Ferranti Mercury computer, nicknamed ‘Meteor’, at Dunstable was a key milestone. It was the first computer dedicated solely to NWP research.
Historic Milestone in 1965
The true breakthrough came with the English Electric KDF9 computer, called ‘Comet’, installed at Bracknell. On 2 November 1965, the Met Office issued its first operational computer forecast, a landmark event covered widely by the media, marking the dawn of modern weather prediction.
"On 2 November 1965, the Met Office produced its first operational computer forecast, a moment that received widespread media attention and signalled the start of a new era in weather prediction."
Advancing Science and Technology
The decades after 1965 saw accelerated progress in the fields of meteorology and computing, continually enhancing forecast precision and reliability.
Author’s summary: The Met Office’s 60-year evolution of numerical weather prediction highlights a legacy of groundbreaking innovation and ongoing dedication to improving weather forecasts through science and technology.
Would you prefer a more detailed timeline of technological advancements included?