How did meterologists forcast weather before satelites?

Question

I ask because my dad was a Navy Meteorologist during WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. He retired in 1969, and passed away in 1973 or I would ask him. I know weather satelites started to be used in the late 50's, what about then?

Answer 1

They used to l**k their index finger and stick it in the air for a few seconds.

Answer 2

satalites only see the cloud cover

radars detect low pressure and the intensity of the storms.

back then they didnt have as good quality technology.

Answer 3

Not very well. Radar was a big innovation which helped some. But before that it was just basic observation of what was happening on the ground or observed at sea by passing ships. A meteorologist would have had to gather observations from a wide area and determine what was going on and try to put togehter a prediciton.  I wish your dad were around to give us his own first hand accounts!

I have read accounts of a huge hurricane which hit Rhode Island in 1938. That morning it was beautiful and people went swimming and went for strolls around town. By that afternoon the waves had innundated Newport and wind and storm surged cause flooding all around Naragansett Bay. Caught people totally by surprise.