Satellites, Radiosondes, and Numerical Weather Prediction: 20th Century Advances Enabling Today’s 21st Century Weather Forecasters

Bart Adrian
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Senior Lecturer

“Three short narratives will be presented, chronicling the evolution of three great 20th century advances in meteorology: the weather satellite; the radiosonde; and numerical weather prediction. The narratives will be illuminated by stories of some major proponents of the advances: meteorologist Verner Suomi (weather satellites); mathematician Vilho Vaisala (the radiosonde); and mathematicians Lewis Richardson and John von Neumann (numerical weather prediction). The impact of these advances on modern-day weather forecasting will be pointed out, as well as some personal connections of the proponents to the local community.”