blog




  • Essay / Meteorology: from myth to measurement - 1936

    Avoiding bad weather is impossible. Weather forecasting is the branch of science that almost everyone uses on a daily basis. Whether we check the forecast in the morning, afternoon or night, knowing the atmospheric conditions allows us to prepare for the type of weather we will face. Climate forecasting has been practiced since the dawn of time with varying degrees of precision. Historical beliefs show many examples of weather forecasting methods based on observation of surrounding elements. Although meteorologists' observations are not always accurate; better to have little knowledge of what can happen than nothing. “The only thing that never changes about the weather is that it’s always changing” (Wills 8). However, the forecast transition is constantly evolving between biblical beliefs, philosophical opinions, observations, and evolving technology that help meteorologists stay a few more days ahead. It was believed that time belonged to God. “The storms were evidence of God’s wrath, and the rain was evidence of God’s blessings” (Lockhart 11). In the first book of the Bible collection, after Job suffers and returns to God, he learns: God does great things that we cannot understand. For he says to the snow: fall to the earth; likewise to showers of rain and showers of his mighty rain. From the south chamber comes the storm; and cold coming from the north. By the breath of God, the ice is given and the width of the waters is frozen (11). Ancient beliefs said that if God said so, so be it. Today's Bible contains little weather information; however, the book of Enoch was accepted by early Christians and is cited extensively in Revelation. In this book of the Bible, "Enoch visits heaven and ...... middle of paper ......viation which depends on it" (Hassan). Without meteorologists present at weather stations at all times of the day and preparing weather forecasts for us, we would not know what to expect from the weather. In the past few years that I have witnessed natural disasters, meteorologists have had ample time to warn people of the areas most likely to be affected. With this little information, these humans had enough time to relocate or simply prepare for its disasters. This knowledge of the weather helped improve and save several lives, while the number of deaths and injuries would skyrocket. Who doesn't like meteorologists? Even though we don't give thanks regularly, we appreciate any help we can receive. Meteorologists aren't 100% right, but the percentage of the time they are right benefits enormously!