WW2 METEOROLOGICAL QUESTION

malene

Just a question about just after the outbreak of ww2, sept 1939. If the German's were planning a bombing campaign on scotland for example, would they have been able to tell what the weather was like there the day before?

And if they COULD, what would make them NOT be able to find out. I just want both sides of the argument.

I'm not sure if German's (and Brits for that matter) used radar to figure out the weather in areas they were about to hit or if it was limited, distance wise, to their own skies?

Thanks, Mal.

Delancey

For starters it must be remembered that the science of Meteorology was a lot different then - no computer modelling for example.
For a raid on Scotland data would be available from weather ships in the Atlantic as well as land-based stations in Europe ( e.g. Norway ).

The Royal Navy eventually destroyed all of the German weather ships as they realised the value of weather data. The De Valera government severely restricted the quantity and quality of weather information broadcast by Radio Eireann .

Probably the greatest coup by weather forecasters was the correct prediction of a small 'window' in the weather that allowed the Normandy landings go ahead.
There were failures also - a typhoon wreaked havoc on the US Pacific fleet which lost a number of destroyers sunk and many ships severely damaged - forecasters totally underestimated its strength.

pedroeibar1

malene wrote: »

I'm not sure if German's (and Brits for that matter) used radar to figure out the weather in areas they were about to hit or if it was limited, distance wise, to their own skies?

Thanks, Mal.

Radar was very short range in the late 1930's. Its use for weather reporting did not really start until after the war, and resulted from the observations of wartime operators when they saw the 'snowing' effect on radar of rain, hail, etc. In 1939 there was AFAIK no weather radar.

Delancey

To my knowledge Weather Radar did not develop till the 1950's , definitely did not exist during WW2.

malene

Intersting points, thanks guys, keep it going anyone else if you want to contribute moe . Thanks.

pedroeibar1

All ww2 airforces used target overflight for weather assessment. In the RAF it was mainly Mosquitos.

tac foley

Even into the '90s our local military airfields put up the '7 o'clock weather flight' every day.

Besides, all that computers do now for weather forecasting is give the weathermen something to blame when it all goes tits-up, like it's doing right now here in Eastern UK.

Violent rain squalls?

Nope, brilliant sunshine and blue skies as far as the eye can see, and here in the flatlands, that's quite a ways.

tac

malene

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

All ww2 airforces used target overflight for weather assessment. In the RAF it was mainly Mosquitos.

But did the German's have any equivalent. If the BBC said after sept 1939 it was raining, how would German's know or NOT know they were telling the truth?

CDfm

During WWII the Irish shared meteorological info with the British.

nuac

Delancey wrote: »

For starters it must be remembered that the science of Meteorology was a lot different then - no computer modelling for example.
For a raid on Scotland data would be available from weather ships in the Atlantic as well as land-based stations in Europe ( e.g. Norway ).

The Royal Navy eventually destroyed all of the German weather ships as they realised the value of weather data. The De Valera government severely restricted the quantity and quality of weather information broadcast by Radio Eireann .

Probably the greatest coup by weather forecasters was the correct prediction of a small 'window' in the weather that allowed the Normandy landings go ahead.
There were failures also - a typhoon wreaked havoc on the US Pacific fleet which lost a number of destroyers sunk and many ships severely damaged - forecasters totally underestimated its strength.

Yes, a phone call from a man called Sweeny at B lacksod Co Mayo passed on the vital observation that encouraged the Allies to launch the invasiioon altho a day later than planned. If it had to be delayed any further they may have had to wait a fortnight.

There is a plaque to celebrate this at Blacksod

Private Joker

Delancey wrote: »

For starters it must be remembered that the science of Meteorology was a lot different then - no computer modelling for example.
For a raid on Scotland data would be available from weather ships in the Atlantic as well as land-based stations in Europe ( e.g. Norway ).

The Royal Navy eventually destroyed all of the German weather ships as they realised the value of weather data. The De Valera government severely restricted the quantity and quality of weather information broadcast by Radio Eireann .

Probably the greatest coup by weather forecasters was the correct prediction of a small 'window' in the weather that allowed the Normandy landings go ahead.
There were failures also - a typhoon wreaked havoc on the US Pacific fleet which lost a number of destroyers sunk and many ships severely damaged - forecasters totally underestimated its strength.

Apparently, GAA match reports at the time were not even allowed to comment on weather conditions.

Delancey

nuac wrote: »

Yes, a phone call from a man called Sweeny at B lacksod Co Mayo passed on the vital observation that encouraged the Allies to launch the invasiioon altho a day later than planned. If it had to be delayed any further they may have had to wait a fortnight.

There is a plaque to celebrate this at Blacksod

Wow - thanks for that , was not aware of that gem.