Weathering the Years: 155 Years of the National Weather Service
As we continue to hunker down and endure this stretch of unprecedented winter weather in the nation’s capital—and in many other cities across the U.S.—it’s the perfect moment to look back at a very important group of records that tell the story of weather prediction in the U.S.
February celebrates the anniversary of the founding of the National Weather Service (NWS) on February 9, 1870. Initially established under the Department of War by President Ulysses S. Grant, then moved to the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, respectively, the service evolved from a small predictive branch to a powerhouse of scientific innovation and modeling technology. For a comprehensive overview of the NWS’ institutional history, check out the historic timeline on their website.
At the National Archives, records of the Weather Bureau are primarily found in Record Group 27, which contains photographs, written records, and charts that document weather conditions across the country. Later NWS records also reside in Record Group 370 (Records of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), reflecting the agency’s transition under NOAA in 1970. Highlights of more than 27 million total pages in these records offer a fascinating window into how weather was observed, documented, and experienced in daily life over decades. Enjoy a selection of them here.
Many photographic records show major storms or other weather events as they are happening, documenting the weather in action as well as the damage following these events.
Other photographs show weather service personnel at work.
Public awareness campaigns are a major facet of the NWS’ work. The service produces safety messages and informational content across social media, infographics, and other platforms to help people understand terms like “watches,” “warnings,” and “advisories,” and what actions to take to stay safe.
One of the most intriguing series in Record Group 27 contains original documentation related to the Wright Brothers’ early flight experiments in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The small set of digitized records includes a report on a crash from May 14, 1908, detailed notes on the aircraft’s engine, and a letter from a journalist who explains that—despite the Wright Brothers’ ban on press coverage—he plans to conceal himself to observe the test flights.
These records capture how Americans have weathered a lot, both throughout history and in the present day. If you’re in the path of this month’s cold snap or simply admiring it from afar, we hope this snowy scene invites you to pause and enjoy the season.
