DISCUSSION: As we go back in history by several decades, the meteorology world has a substantially different approach to studying and analyzing larger-scale weather patterns. Due to the fact that in the pre-1960 period in meteorological history there was no larger-scale weather satellite coverage, this greatly limited the ability of what was then the U.S. Weather Bureau (and is now more expanded and known as the National Weather Service) to study larger-scale weather patterns. Therefore, this lack of satellite coverage and more advanced weather-observing technology greatly mitigated the ability of atmospheric scientists to more accurately issue day-to-day weather forecasts as well as anticipate both shorter- and longer-term weather changes.
Shown in the image above (i.e., being all the way back in 1947), staff members Esther Ebert (left) and Ethel Bern (right) were responsible for updating a weather map in the Speaker’s Lobby, immediately off the House Floor. With a glance at the enormous board, Representatives could see the weather in their districts. Other services offered to Members included sandwiches and coffee from the lunch counters in the cloakrooms—also located just off the House Floor—as well as daily newspapers from throughout the country, to help them keep up with the news back home. To see the details pertaining to the image above, feel free to click on the following link!
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©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz