The United States’ fledgling weather service was born in November 1870 as a part of the U.S. Army Signal Service. It was argued that military discipline was necessary to ensure that observations were taken on a regular basis.
The military would control the service for nearly the next 21 years, but came under increasing criticism from different quarters. There was a huge outcry for civilian control of the service. Many people complained that the military was not conducting enough meteorological research. Others complained about inefficiency and mismanagement. There was a significant embezzlement situation. Farmers and mariners complained about the inaccuracy of forecasts. Opposition even came from within the military, where officials complained about military assets being used for non-military needs.
On July 1, 1891, the equipment, stations and personnel of the U.S. Army Signal Service was passed to the Department of Agriculture and the service was renamed the U.S. Weather Bureau. In the short 20 year time span since its inception, the Signal Service had formed a solid foundation for today’s National Weather Service and established the United States as the world leader in weather information and forecasting.
