Book Description

During the past decade, numerical forecasting has assumed a dominant role in Naval Weather Service operations. Numerical objective analyses and prognoses have largely replaced the old ponderously-produced, subjective manual products. The decision to explore the feasibility of adopting numerical forecasting in the Navy was motivated by the growing evidence that the huge volume of available hemispheric data had outrun man's ability to digest it efficiently. Computers offered an exciting prospect of being able to do a much better job. A strong consideration for computers was the growing demand in the Navy for a wider range of high-quality products, particularly oceanographic products. The decision to explore the Navy potential in numerical forecasting was not one to be taken lightly, since this would ultimately involve a large allocation of Naval Weather Service assets in men and money with no assurance that these assets could be provided by drawing from existing field activities. Numerical forecasting was still a struggling infant as a scientific tool, and many were convinced that numerical forecasting would remain forever in the R and D stage, never to appear operationally. The founding fathers of today's Fleet Numerical Weather Central (FNWC) were aggressive and knowledgeable. In a surprisingly short time, programs were developed, rapid communications methods were devised, and computer products were receiving favorable evaluations in the field. This early success encouraged further support for an expansion of the numerical development group. The goal was to build toward a Naval Weather Service System around FNWC.