Publication History
Several different government offices have published the Daily weather maps over its history. The publication has also gone by different names over time.
The U.S. Signal Office began publication of the maps as the War Department maps on Jan. 1, 1871. When the government transferred control of the weather service to the newly-created Weather Bureau in 1891 the title changed to the Department of Agriculture weather map. In 1913 the title became simply Daily weather map. Eventually, in 1969, the Weather Bureau began publishing a weekly compilation of the daily maps with the title Daily weather maps (Weekly series).
Scope of coverage
The earliest Daily weather maps featured only a map of the continental U.S. with the day's air temperature, barometric pressure, wind velocity and direction, and a general indication of the weather for various cities around the country plotted directly on the map.
Within a short time the Signal Corps added a table showing the amount of change in barometric pressure during the most recent 8 hours, the temperature change within the most recent 24 hours, relative humidity, and total precipitation within the most recent 24 hours. The Signal Office also added a general discussion of synoptic weather features and forecast, and then isobars and isotherms, on the maps. By the end of 1872 the maps had established the format it would use for the rest of its run.
During the period January 1-August 6, 1914, a Northern Hemisphere map with data table is included.
How to Locate Issues of the Daily weather maps
To locate the issue you wish to see, use one of the drop-down lists to the left. For maps prior to April 1968, choose the year, the month, and the specific day you wish to view, then click the See Daily Map button. Maps for April 1968 and later, choose the year, month, then week before clicking the See Weekly Map button. Credit
Funding for this project was provided by the NOAA Climate Database Modernization Program (CDMP), National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC.
Please credit the NOAA Central Library Data Imaging Project when using the Daily weather maps. Share the results of your research with any of the staff members below.
Contact Information
If you have questions or comments concerning the images, or you need further assistance, please contact:
Library.Reference@noaa.gov, 301-713-2600 ext. 124
Diana.L.Abney@noaa.gov, 301-713-2600 ext. 121
Stanley.Elswick@noaa.gov, 301-713-2600 ext. 138
Doria.Grimes@noaa.gov, 302-713-2600 ext. 142
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