This chapter details the progress toward operational numerical weather prediction. All three weather services—the Navy, the Air Force, and the Weather Bureau—which were members of the Joint Meteorological Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, coordinated the details of the new Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit (JNWPU) to be located in Suitland, Maryland. Despite challenges, they produced the first “operational” weather map in May 1955—almost three years after deciding to move numerical weather prediction from the realm of research to operations. In so doing, the three weather services...

This chapter details the progress toward operational numerical weather prediction. All three weather services—the Navy, the Air Force, and the Weather Bureau—which were members of the Joint Meteorological Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, coordinated the details of the new Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit (JNWPU) to be located in Suitland, Maryland. Despite challenges, they produced the first “operational” weather map in May 1955—almost three years after deciding to move numerical weather prediction from the realm of research to operations. In so doing, the three weather services advanced numerical techniques more quickly than would have been possible in the less time-critical research environment.