Showers and Thunderstorms from the Southern Plains into the Ohio Valley; Record Warmth in the Central U.S.

Heavy rain and widely scattered severe storms are expected over portions of the central and southern Plains into the Ohio Valley. Unseasonable warmth will continue for a few more days across the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic where several daily record highs could fall. Read More >

History of the Smithsonian Institute's involvement in the Cooperative Observation Program

Joseph Henry's first major project at the Smithsonian was his plan to obtain weather reports from a countrywide network of voluntary observers; his plan is detailed in the Institution's 1848 Annual Report. Voluminous reports, maps, tables, and charts were prepared and published on all phases of the work -- rainfall, snowfall, temperatures, barometric pressure, storms, meteors, auroras, and other phenomena.

In 1869, when Congress established the Weather Bureau of the United States Signal Service, the Smithsonian system of meteorological reports was turned over to the new bureau.

The Smithsonian continued to work on the material collected up to the time of transfer, however, and over the next few years issued reports, tables, and maps.

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Showers and Thunderstorms from the Southern Plains into the Ohio Valley; Record Warmth in the Central U.S.

Observation Programs