William Napier Shaw –father of modern meteorology

The history of UK weather forecasting: the changing role of the central guidance forecaster. Part 1: the pre‐computer era

“…Early in the twentieth century, Napier Shaw (Burton, 2004) made major contributions to the understanding of the atmosphere both in terms of synoptic meteorology and the physics of the atmosphere. He became one of the most influential leaders of the Meteorological Office, introducing research scientists into the organisation.…”

The meteorological legacy of the First World War

“…From its formation in 1854, the main efforts of the Meteorological Office, as part of the Board of Trade, focussed on observation of the weather and safety of life at sea for Britain as a trading nation (Nichols, ). However, research had begun to further our understanding of the atmosphere in depth around the turn of the nineteenth/twentieth century (Dines, ; Brettle and Galvin, ; Burton, ; Galvin and McGhee, ; Field, ; Pettifer, ), and aircraft operations had begun to allow a greater knowledge of meteorology in the troposphere (Booth, ), developing the frontal theory of the Norwegian School (see Pettersen, ). Nonetheless, research into forecasting was in its infancy (Burton, ), and a new aviation focus would be required to maximise the utility of aircraft (of all types) and minimise losses due to the weather (Walker, ).…”

“…However, research had begun to further our understanding of the atmosphere in depth around the turn of the nineteenth/twentieth century (Dines, ; Brettle and Galvin, ; Burton, ; Galvin and McGhee, ; Field, ; Pettifer, ), and aircraft operations had begun to allow a greater knowledge of meteorology in the troposphere (Booth, ), developing the frontal theory of the Norwegian School (see Pettersen, ). Nonetheless, research into forecasting was in its infancy (Burton, ), and a new aviation focus would be required to maximise the utility of aircraft (of all types) and minimise losses due to the weather (Walker, ). Fortunately, the appointment of William Napier Shaw as Director in 1900 had brought new thinking about the science of meteorology into the Meteorological Office (Burton, ; Walker, ), preparing it for the changes that would be required in the age of aviation.…”

“…Nonetheless, research into forecasting was in its infancy (Burton, ), and a new aviation focus would be required to maximise the utility of aircraft (of all types) and minimise losses due to the weather (Walker, ). Fortunately, the appointment of William Napier Shaw as Director in 1900 had brought new thinking about the science of meteorology into the Meteorological Office (Burton, ; Walker, ), preparing it for the changes that would be required in the age of aviation.…”