🌊 History of Weather Forecasts

Learn how weather reports started in Britain, how sea warnings protect ships, and why we celebrate World Meteorological Day.

📌 How to use this lesson

The Met Office is the weather service of the United Kingdom. It started in 1854 with Captain Robert FitzRoy as leader. The Met Office says that in 1861 FitzRoy began a storm warning service for ships. A storm is very bad weather with strong wind. The Met Office says that in 1861 the Times newspaper printed the first public weather forecast. Today the Met Office gives a shipping forecast for 31 sea areas four times a day, with the wind, the weather and how far a person can see. The World Meteorological Organization says World Meteorological Day is on 23 March because its Convention began on 23 March 1950.

"If there is frost tomorrow, I will wear a warm hat."

Why this works: Use "If + present weather, I will + action" when you make plans for future weather.

1. The Met Office is the weather service of the United States.

2. Captain Robert FitzRoy was the leader of the Met Office when it started in 1854.

3. What did FitzRoy start for ships in 1861?

4. Which newspaper printed the first public weather forecast in 1861?

5. Match each detail from the passage with what it describes:

6. What three details does today's shipping forecast include?

Type the 3 things mentioned in the article.

7. Why is World Meteorological Day marked on 23 March every year?

Complete the reason using facts from the passage.

8. Complete the sentence using the pattern example ("If there is frost tomorrow, I will wear a warm hat."):

"If it is very windy tomorrow, I will ____."