United States Climatological Chronology
By: Paul Waite
Former
State Climatologist of Iowa
1644-1645
In the United States the earliest weather diary was kept by the Chaplain of the Swedish colonization force in what is now Wilmington, Delaware (Landsberg, 1981). Weather diaries were the primary source of weather information in our country through the War of 1812. Weather diaries were kept by well known Americans: Benjamin Franklin and presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, - the latter from early July 1776 to near his death on July 4, 1826.
1814
The first government directive to gather weather data was issued by the US Army Surgeon General to the medical corps at forts and barracks.
1838
Pennsylvania was the first of about three states to appropriate funding for a climatological network. The program lasted a relatively short time.
1847
The Smithsonian Institution began gathering climatological data nationwide.
1870
The National Weather Service (NWS) was created to be administered by the US Army Signal Corps.
1875
The first successful state weather service was established in Iowa by Professor Gustavus Hinrichs. Other states followed suit with Missouri the second in 1877.
1881
General William B. Hazen, US Army Signal Corps, sent letters to all the state governors encouraging the creation and development of state weather services.
1880s
The "little ice age" came to an end according to some paleoclimatologists.
1890
The national weather program was transferred to the US Department of Agriculture.
1892
The first annual meeting of the American Association of Weather Services cooperating with the USDA Weather Bureau held at Rochester, NY, Aug. 15-16. Meetings were also held in 1893, 1894 and 1895.
1895
Decision to standardize state networks and publications under USDA Weather Bureau. State weather programs generally declined or ceased, but a few survived including Iowa and Michigan programs.
1930s
The new WB aviation program grew rapidly. Climatology declined.
1941
Weather Bureau transferred into the US Department of Commerce.
1940s
The climatic warm-up since the 1890s shifted into a three decade cool-off.
1952
WRPC (Weather Records Processing Center) moved in January to Asheville, North Carolina.
1954
Weather Bureau Climatological Service Division headed up by Dr., Helmut Landsberg. His first Climatological Services Memorandum No. 45 announced the discontinuance of the Section Centers and the creation of the State Climatologist and the Area Climatologist program. Incidentally, this era was also that of the creation of the National Hurricane Center and the National Severe Storms Center.
1955-56
The state Climatology program put in place.
1965
Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) created, which included the National Weather Service.
1967
Dr. Landsberg returned to appointment at the University of Maryland as the director of their meteorology program.
1970
NOAA created.
1973
The State Climatology program was terminated effective April 16, 1973.
1973
(late March) NOAA Administrator Robert M. White sent a letter to all state governors asking that they establish their own state climate program.
1975 & 1976
National Climatic Center (NCC) sponsored informational meetings at Asheville for the State Climatologist (32 SCs in 1974; about 40 in 1978).
1976
The American Association of State Climatologists organized (Oct. 6, 1976).
1977
The State Climatologist quarterly begun 1/1/77. NCC also provided other state support in the form of NCC products and later, SC internships at NCC.
1978
The National Climate Program Act was signed into Public Law 95-367 on September 17, 1978 by President Carter.
1980s
Regional Climate Offices established climatic warming period reported.
1997 (July)
President Clinton announced "a White House conference in early October on worldwide climate change, part of an effort to get the American people interested in the issue." (Washington, DC [AP])