A Citizen Science of the Weather

Scholars circulated tables containing barometric readings, such as in the previous image. But they also described or drew certain noteworthy meteorological phenomena, such as these hail stones.

Early meteorological observations were often taken by scholars who were not directly involved in weather science.

These neatly laid-out tables were collected by Henry Beighton FRS (1687-1743), an engineer who developed steam engines.

In 1723, the Secretary of the Royal Society, James Jurin FRS (1684-1750) published a call for observations of the weather in the Philosophical Transactions. His proposal described which instruments to use, and how best to lay out a diary. Jurin called on all readers of the journal, Fellows of the Royal Society and members of other European scientific academies, to send their observations to be analysed, formatted and published by the Royal Society.

Agreements with the trading companies managing colonial expansion and exploration guaranteed that weather observations were taken across large parts of the world.

The records shown here are from Canada, made by Peter Fidler (1769-1822), an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Global coverage meant that scientists could start to establish the links between regional weather patterns and gain understanding of the Earth's weather system.

Astronomers based at international observatories played a key part in forming meteorological networks.

John Herschel, while studying the night skies of the southern hemisphere, needed to keep track of observing conditions in South Africa. Since astronomers were experienced in using scientific instruments and in presenting data, their weather diaries were of high quality.

From the 19th century onward, the general public was increasingly called upon to make weather observations.

This map was drawn up during the 1851 Great Exhibition, using the telegraph network to obtain same-day observations from across Great Britain. The maps were sold for 1 penny to visitors.

Responses were received containing descriptive accounts of unusual atmospheric phenomena, together with drawings and measurements.
This postcard from Germany was addressed to the Secretary of the Committee, the meteorologist Robert Henry Scott FRS (1833-1916), who followed FitzRoy at the Board of Trade.

The Committee had called for any accounts of the 'remarkable sunrises and sunsets, or sky colouring at any hours'.

This summary by the Danish Meteorological Institute shows that the phenomena was of interest to the wide network of professional meteorologists.

The meteorological phenomena were caused by the dispersion of volcanic ash in the atmosphere and provided stunning imagery.

Many casual observers noted with precision what they were seeing and were anxious to contribute to the Royal Society report.

The title page of this weather diary was beautifully illustrated by its observer, Orlando Whistlecraft (1810-1893).

Whistlecraft was a shopkeeper in 19th century Suffolk, who devised his own system of observations and kept a systematic diary from 1827 to 1892.

This weather diary was carefully devised by Caroline Molesworth (1794-1872) in the South of England. An avid botanist, Molesworth noted observations on plants as well as animals.

Here you can see that in 1832, the apricot trees and the strawberries began flowering on March 20th.

Historical diaries retain scientific value as they are used today to improve our understanding of global warming.

Today's weather enthusiasts may contribute by maintaining local weather observatories anywhere in the country. 
These stations can send their readings automatically to the Met Office.