Storm Warning

While many of us may complain about innaccuracies in the weather forecast, for some the weather is a matter of life or death. This was particularly the case in the 19^th century, when a major storm could cause great loss of life and property in the wrecking of ships. Storm Warning by Pauline Halford tells the story of how the governments of Britain and the USA set up systems for the collecting information about the weather and for getting that information to those who need it, as well as the attempts at forecasting.

This isn't a book which gives a wide ranging history of weather forecasting. The first chapter gives the early history of forecasting, but the book is primarily about two men, Matthew Maury in the USA and Robert Fitzroy in the UK. We hear of their roles in setting up meteorological offices in their countries in the mid 19^th century, although as is common with such books their struggles with bureaucracy are emphasised, rather than substantial government support they had for much of what they did. The book also tells the battles between different methods of forecasting, and how the Fitzroy's forecasts were discontinued despite their obvious usefulness. Its a well written book, and will provide an entertaining read for anyone with an interest in the origins of weather forecasting.