Map of the Track of the Tornado of April 30th 1852
This map shows what is referred to as the first scientific study of a tornado’s path and the first conclusive proof that tornadoes are an inward, upward, and onward moving column of air. In his article, Chappelsmith notes that people living five miles north of the storm continued to plough their fields during the whole time. The tornado’s track was one mile wide and sped from New Harmony to Leavenworth in 1.5 hours, averaging sixty miles per hour and toppling trees at the rate of seven thousand per minute. Primarily based on his detailed examination of these prostrated trees left in the storm’s wake, he concludes that the “phenomena are incompatible with the rotary hypothesis. . . . I am inclined to believe in Professor Espy’s idea of an ascensional column . . .” [pp. 10–11].
John Chappelsmith
Accompanying his article “Account of a Tornado near New Harmony, Ind., April 30, 1852, with a Map of the Track, &c.”
Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge (Washington, D.C.)
1852
Engraving,
English
From Golconda Illinois, to Wabash River across Indiana & the Ohio River to Georgetown Kentucky, U.S
John Chappelsmith
Atlas sheet as part of ccompanying his article “Account of a Tornado near New Harmony, Ind., April 30, 1852, with a Map of the Track, &c.” in Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge (Washington, D.C.) 7 (1855)
Engraving, 55x74cm
Historic Maps Collection
http://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/thematic-maps/quantitative/meteorology/chappelsmith-map.jpg
1955
1952
(United States) Weather Map. January 1, 1901
This weather map is published by the US Department of Agriculture. Observations were taken from 8am to 8pm where barometers reduced to Sea Level and 32degrees Fahrenheit. The heavy dotted lines inclose ares of marked changes in temperature during the past 24 hours. Shaded areas show regions of precipitation during the pat 12 hours. Arrows point in the direction the wind is blowing. The use of symbols is interesting here, as they indicate weather being clear, partly cloudy, cloudy, with rain, snow, etc. The amount of text that accompanies the map reflects the weather conditions and general forecast. It is interesting that these maps had to be published daily based on a network of national sites communicating climate data back and forth.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1901
45x58cm, scale not given
English
Atlas Map
United States
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau
Atlas Map
45x58cm
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
9734.002
http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/workspace/handleMediaPlayer?lunaMediaId=RUMSEY~8~1~280218~90053406
1901
1901
Chart 10, February 3, 1832
Map showing colored areas of climate conditions on a particular day. The colored areas correspond to precipitation conditions, , i.e. snow, clear, rain, clouds, fog. Different lines depict areas of equal pressure (dashed) and areas of equal thermal oscillation (dotted).
These early depictions resulted in created a plan for the Smithsonian Institution. Loomis’s proposal for a system of observers across the United States and for daily weather maps was realized in Congress’s creation of the Weather Bureau of the United States Signal Service in 1870. This became the National Weather Service we know today.
One of thirteen charts accompanying Loomis’s article “On Two Storms Which Were Experienced throughout the United States, in the Month of February, 1842.”
American Philosophical Society
1842
Printed map
English
Printed map
Eastern US
Elias Loomis
One of thirteen charts accompanying Loomis’s article “On Two Storms Which Were Experienced throughout the United States, in the Month of February, 1842.”
Printed with added color, 23.5 × 30.5 cm. Scale not given
Historic Maps Collection
http://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/thematic-maps/quantitative/meteorology/loomis-map-1845.jpg
1842
1842